A Study Of Lifestyle Satisfaction In Two Regional Facilities

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to identify challenges for social interaction in regional remote aged care facilities and evaluate the satisfaction for lifestyle changes made by the staff to improve outcomes.

Background

A study was undertaken by the staff of The Whiddon Group - Narrabri and Weeronga Hostel at Wee Waa. Narrabri has forty three residents and Wee Waa has twenty residents. Wee Waa has recently adopted the benchmarking approach of QPS and comparisons of both facilities have found some interesting results.
Results of the Residents Satisfaction Survey and Residents Lifestyle Index identified similar challenges for rural sectors. The matrix indicates areas identified were physical and social outside for both facilities with a score rating of four.

Lifestyle Opportunities

As a result of continued evaluation of the Lifestyle Index and Resident Satisfaction surveys, both facilities have put forward improved opportunities for the rural facilities.

Art Program

In 2006 several local artists were recruited to work with residents and engage them in an art activity program. The program has been a huge success and it culminated in an open gallery wine and cheese night that was attended by the residents, the artists, local business people, Shire Council representatives and the local MP. The open gallery night was videoed and the delight of both the residents and the artists will live long in the memory of all who attended. Plans for the future include sharing the enjoyment of art with seniors from the community and other nearby facilities.
The Veggie Garden

Raised veggie gardens have been well maintained by the men folk of the facilities. A great deal of thought has gone into the garden and how to make it accessible to the several residents who look after it. The first feature is that it is located adjacent to living areas and residents can duck in and out of the building to do the odd bit of weeding and return to the cool of the building when they need to. The second feature is that it is built waist high off the ground on a pre made steel platform that enables residents to tend to the garden while either sitting or standing. The third feature is that the gardens are quite narrow so that residents can reach plants and weeds that are in the middle of the garden from their sitting position.
Got a Flat Area? Build a Golf Course

Have you ever been cheered as you walk onto the 18th green in a golf tournament? This can be experienced at Narrabri and soon to be at Weeronga. Some willing participants, an enthusiastic crowd, some great staff and a bit of imagination are all it takes!
Aviary

And if you have a couple of bird lovers - build an aviary. It gets the local school children in too.
Conclusion

These are just a few of the extra things that Narrabri and Wee Waa do to improve resident's lifestyles. The study of two similar facilities has allowed us to realise that we are not alone in overcoming some challenges to make life more interesting in the bush and working together has improved outcomes for both facilities. Other choices for residents have been to extend meal time options. The graphs indicate the improved results for Narrabri to 90% and Weeronga to 87%. Further studies will be undertaken with similar facilities to evaluate other opportunities for lifestyle choices.