Research

The World Health Organisation (WHO) iSupport for Dementia online training program is being adapted for the Australian context. The current iSupport study is the first large randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention on health and social care services with carers of people living with dementia in real-world practice across hospital and community aged care … Continued

Having been involved in the initial trial in 2019-20, Resthaven Community Services is pleased to again partner with Flinders University and Prof Lily Xiao, for the following three phases of the iSupport research project. iSupport helps carers to understand dementia and how it may impact themselves and the person they care for. By using a … Continued

Resthaven continues its partnership with Flinders University to further develop the iSupport program, led by Flinders Caring Futures Institute researchers. The Institute has been awarded $1.4 million from the Medical Research Future Fund’s Dementia and Ageing Care Mission, for the next stage of development of the iSupport program. The Partnership in iSupport Program involves providing … Continued

Dr Mark Thompson is a post-doctoral research fellow and occupational therapist with the University of Adelaide. He was the lead author on a recent article published in ‘Age and Ageing’, one of the world’s leading journals on the health of older adults. This research was supported by Resthaven and used data from the North West … Continued

Resthaven’s Clinical Services team works hard to support the care needs of around 2,000 older people living at Resthaven residential aged care homes and in their own homes across South Australia. For this reason, the Resthaven Senior Manager Clinical Services role is of critical importance to the wellbeing of staff and consumers alike. Luckily, the … Continued

Early last year, Resthaven Community Respite Services participated in the initial trial of an adaptation of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘iSupport for Dementia’ online training program by the Caring Futures Institute at the Flinders University of South Australia. The WHO’s iSupport for Dementia training aims to educate and train people who care for someone with … Continued

‘Having to go to hospital is traumatic for anyone, and especially so for older people. Any steps that can be taken to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations is a positive step in the right direction,’ says Resthaven Executive Manager Residential Services, Tina Cooper. ‘That is why Resthaven is delighted to continue our work together with Monash University’s … Continued

Resthaven Incorporated and Monash University’s Centre for Medicine Use and Safety at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences have collaborated to proactively identify new strategies to prevent falls and fall-related hospitalisations.
 
Source: Project PREVENT highlights opportunities to avoid fall-related hospitalisations – Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

New research from Monash University links falls with medication initiation and dose changes
Source: How can pharmacists help to prevent falls? | AJP

Leader in aged care, cross cultural care and carers of dementia research, Professor Lily Xiao is steering an Australian adaptation of the World Health Organisation’s iSupport for Dementia online learning program.
Source: iSupport for Dementia in the spotlight for National Carers Week – Caring Futures Institute news

Resthaven has launched its Diversity Action Plan, following the presentation of the operational plan to Resthaven Program Managers in August. Lynn Openshaw, Resthaven Manager Service Development (pictured), says, ‘We are pleased to launch this plan, after consulting with our community. It follows a review completed in 2018, of Resthaven services against the Government’s Aged Care Diversity … Continued

Resthaven has been using Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in some community activities to support older people living with dementia. ‘Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a structured, evidence based group therapy, involving physical and mental exercises and activities to stimulate thinking, concentration and memory,’ explains Lynn Openshaw, Resthaven Manager Service Development. ‘Final and fourth year University of South … Continued

Three Occupational Therapy students from the University of South Australia are undertaking a nine-week participatory community practice project with Resthaven. The aim of the project is to gain understanding of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). CST is a structured, evidence based group therapy that has demonstrated positive results for older people with mild to moderate dementia. … Continued

Resthaven and the University of Adelaide are undertaking a research project that aims to improve the health of aged care residents by investigating how their health status changes over time. Resthaven Senior Manager Clinical Services, Leonie Robson, says, ‘The FIRST Study will help to validate a new frailty screening tool, the FRAIL AC, which was … Continued

Resthaven is supporting a new project, led by Prof Lily Xiao of Flinders University, which aims to support informal and family carers of people living with dementia. Resthaven Executive Manager Community Services, Sue McKechnie, explains, ‘Through the iSupport project, customers who attend Resthaven’s Community Respite Services are testing a set of on online education modules. … Continued

Shorter waiting times for home care packages is associated with increased life expectancy and older people’s ability to remain in their own homes, a recent study led by the Registry for Older South Australians (ROSA) at the South Australian Health and Medical Institute (SAHMRI) shows.
Source: Research supports need for more home care packages

David Norton, Resthaven Executive Manager, Finance and Corporate Services says, ‘Invite your customers into Business Transformation.’ This week, 21–22 November, Resthaven will present at the 2018 Information Technology in Aged Care (ITAC) Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre. ‘We will share the major business transformation underway at Resthaven,’ David explains. ‘It is centred on enhancing … Continued

In August, a group of health professionals, stakeholders, and consumer representatives met to discuss the progress of a project aiming to identify opportunities for the prevention of unnecessary hospitalisations of older people living in residential care. The collaborative initiative between Resthaven Inc and Monash University is known as ‘Project Prevent.’ Tina Cooper, Executive Manager Residential … Continued

Resthaven is supporting the wellbeing of older Aboriginal peoples in South Australia by using a ‘Framework’ based on the results of the ‘Keeping you Strong’ research project, commissioned by Resthaven, and conducted by SAHMRI’s Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit. The research, which took place in 2017, aimed to identify ways in which aged care services could … Continued

‘I am pleased to announce that we have just reprinted our very handy little booklet, ‘With a little help’ with tips for carers,’ says Sue McKechnie, Resthaven Executive Manager Community Services. ‘This booklet was initially developed as a collaborative writing project in 2010 by members of Resthaven’s Carers Community Advisory Group, and this is the … Continued