Lyn Barr - Southern Cross Care - The Complexities & Challenges in Supporting People Living with Dementia & their Carers in the Community

Presenter: Lyn Barr

Position: Senior Care Manager

Complexities of supporting

people living with dementia in

the community

Metropolitan and Regional Victoria:

8 residential homes with over 700 approved places

Manage 48 assisted living units

1,546 Home care packages: Level 1 – Level 4

240,000+++ hours of in home support services including personal care, home care and respite

212,000+ hours of respite care per annum

1,300 staff

400+ volunteers

Aspiration - Older People Living Well

Snapshot

Transition from provider to consumer in the

Aged Care sector

February 6th 2010

“Your father has left the gas on, what are

you going to do about it?”

December 2010

“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more”

October 10th 2011

Considerations in Positive Risk

Requires a strength based approach

Need to know the person and their life experiences

Involves all parties in the risk assessment

Proportionality - physical and psychosocial

Balance between creativity and judgement

Things may occasionally go wrong

Concern for professional and organisational reputations

Sue’s story

Knowing Sue and what’s important to her

Sue wasn’t “lost”

Stepping in when things change

Working with other professionals

When risks become too great

Caroline’s story

“I have nothing left in my tank.”

Caroline’s story

Caroline’s story

Caroline’s Story

Caroline’s Story

Summary

Must know the person and carer, their history and available supports

Support carers to feel effective and capable

Open mindedness, creativity and shared understandings

Balanced approach, broader consultation

Consider quality of life gains against potential harm

Thank you

Thank you