Clustered domestic residential aged care in Australia: fewer hospitalisations and better quality of life

Abstract

Clustered domestic models of residential care are associated with better quality of life and fewer hospitalisations for residents, without increasing whole of system costs.

Alternative staffing structures in a clustered domestic model of residential aged care in Australia

“…This study describes the staffing mix in residential aged care as operationalised in a clustered domestic model, compared to a standard Australian model. We have previously demonstrated within the same study that this clustered domestic model of care was associated with better consumer‐rated quality of care, quality of life, fewer hospitalisations and potentially inappropriate medications . The clustered domestic model had more PCA hours‐per‐resident‐per‐day, higher levels of training for staff, slightly higher direct care hours‐per‐resident‐per‐day and fewer nurse hours‐per‐resident‐per‐day.…”

“…We recently published findings from a large cross‐sectional study of people living in residential aged care in Australia showing that living in a clustered domestic model (Box ) was associated with a higher consumer‐rated quality of care, quality of life, fewer hospitalisations and potentially inappropriate medications, with similar costs of care and higher direct care hours . However, differences in the staffing structures of the different models of care were not explored in detail.…”

Patterns of medication prescription by dementia diagnosis in Australian nursing home residents: a cross‐sectional study

“…The study sample is from the Investigating Services Provided in the Residential Environment for Dementia (INSPIRED) study, which is a cross‐sectional study designed to determine and compare the quality of life, quality of care, use of healthcare resources and costs of nursing homes that provide alternative models of care for people with cognitive impairment and dementia. Data were collected from 17 not‐for‐profit nursing homes across four Australian states between January 2015 and February 2016 . The inclusion criteria for participants in the INSPIRED study were: (1) being permanent residents of the facility; (2) residing in the facility for 12 months or more; (3) not in immediate palliative care; (4) if not able to self‐consent, have family members who are able to provide proxy consent and/or participate on the resident's behalf; and (5) no other complex medical or family issues that would prevent participation.…”

“…Data were collected from 17 not-for-profit nursing homes across four Australian states between January 2015 and February 2016. 11 The inclusion criteria for participants in the INSPIRED study were: (1) being permanent residents of the facility; (2) residing in the facility for 12 months or more; (3) not in immediate palliative care; (4) if not able to self-consent, have family members who are able to provide proxy consent and/or participate on the resident's behalf; and (5) no other complex medical or family issues that would prevent participation. Written informed consent was obtained from participants or their legal guardians.…”

Diagnosis of dementia in residential aged care settings in Australia: An opportunity for improvements in quality of care?

“…The INSPIRED (Investigating Services Provided in the Residential Environment for Dementia) study is a cross‐sectional study including 541 residents from 17 RACFs in Australia spanning four Australian states (New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia) and both rural and metropolitan settings. Details of the study design have been published elsewhere . The study was conducted to examine alternative models of care, quality of life and costs of people living with cognitive impairment and dementia in residential care.…”