• Research and Innovation

    Resthaven collaborates with a range of partners, including consumers, on research initiatives to inform and promote good aged care practice.

    We use our findings to:
    • Promote best practice in aged care services and in other care environments
    • Raise the profile of aged care services and influence good social policy
    • Promote positive images of older people
    • Contribute to knowledge about ageing and living as an older person in society
    • Understand the communities we serve as Resthaven

    TRACs logo

    Research

    Our governance guides:
    • How we prioritise research projects and fund them
    • How we manage research, including managing relationships with collaborators
    • Our links with academia and clinical/technical experts
    • The rigour of research methodologies chosen
    • How we publish and promote research and its outcomes, including how we manage and acknowledge intellectual property

    Research outcomes are published to benefit the community.

     

    Click here to view our publications from past projects

    On 4 November 2016, a $400,000 building extension and mural project was launched at Resthaven Northern Community Services at 16 Gillingham Road, Elizabeth.

    ‘The mural is a reflection of who we are and our commitment to positive images of older people – affirming their contribution and value to family and the community. It was created with help from Resthaven clients and staff, and local young adults, Bianca, Lauchlan, Cameron and Dylan.’

    Read the story here…

     

    Research Collaborations

    Resthaven-funded Research:

    Developing a Customer Experience Blueprint.

    Customer Engagement: What do people want to know about Resthaven?

    Keeping Older Aboriginal Peoples Strong

    Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Role in Residential Care

    Models of respite for carers of people with dementia
    Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer’s Australia); Dr Lyn Phillipson, University of Wollongong

    Optimising the use of medicines in aged care facilities
    Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer’s Australia); Dr Simon Bell, Monash University

    Nutrition and protein uptake in older people
    Geriatrics Training & Research with Aged Care (G-TRAC) Centre, Resthaven research grant

    Emergency preparedness and resilience: an older person’s perspective

    Doctoral research scholarship in emergency management and older people at Flinders University. Working under the supervision of Professor Paul Arbon, the recipient of the scholarship was Victoria Cornell.

    Technological solutions for falls/balance monitoring
    Geriatrics Training & Research with Aged Care (G-TRAC) Centre, Resthaven research grant

    Developing a Healthy Workplace at Resthaven 
    Dr Kate Barnett, Australian Industrial Transformation Institute

    Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants (ACSIHAG):

    Developing the multicultural workforce to improve the quality of care for residents

    Developing the multicultural workforce – Cross Cultural Care Program

    Resthaven-funded Research
    (conducted by Resthaven employees):

    The Aged Care Clinical Mentor Model of Change

    The Aged Care Clinical Mentor Model of Change (ACCMMoC) was developed as an ‘Encouraging Better Practice in Aged Care (EBPAC) project. It aimed to implement best clinical practice related to an identified clinical priority area via a workforce mentoring model, which includes the role of an Aged Care Clinical mentor (ACCM).

    In 2018, Resthaven implemented a second trial of the Aged Care Clinical Mentor Model of Change to improve Wound Management.

    ‘Yellow Brick Road’ Map Concept
    Creating a visually aesthetic map as a helpful tool for people to get to know a new residential services environment at Resthaven.

    Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in groups for people with dementia

    Virtual Consultations for community clients

    Reviewing the approach to managing constipation in older people

    Researching the option of an Artist in Residence/Community Arts project

    Australian Research Centre – Funded Linkage:

    Service development CDC

    Social Isolation of older people
    University of Adelaide

    Health Economic model of CDC
    Flinders University

    Industry Collaboration:

    Centre of Research Excellence Frailty and Healthy Ageing

    SA Innovation Hub
    A coalition of aged care service providers who are finding ways to improve governance, leadership, consumer engagement and quality of service.