Aged Care Plus Wins Mental Health Service Award

The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus has been awarded a 2017 Mental Health Service Award of Australia and New Zealand for their innovative model of care, My Mindfulness. Awarded by TheMHS Learning Network, the award celebrates Aged Care Plus' person-centred model of care provided at Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre in Balmain, New South Wales, a specialist care home for men living with mental health issues. My Mindfulness achieves a balance between dependence, interdependence and independence by focusing on the residents' capabilities, not deficits and fosters a shared understanding of life goals and how to achieve these to further empower a state of mental wellness. Centre Manager for Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre, Trudi Clinton, says the model has seen significant success.

"Since implementing this model, we have seen resident satisfaction sky rocket to 98% and a reduction in discharges traditionally related to decreased life expectancy or return to a homeless lifestyle. Residents now feel an increased sense of contentment and connectivity with the local community and other residents at the Centre. This is testament to the incredible impact this model has had on those entrusted in our care," Trudi said. Executive Manager Care Services, Governance and International Relations, Peter Bewert, says residents are now living with meaning.

"It is important to understand the value of one's individuality is not defined by a diagnosis, yet their value is fundamental to who they are and this is the essence of person centred care and the key to ensuring contentment," Peter continued.

Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre is the first of its kind in Australia, providing specialist mental health support to older male Australians from socially vulnerable, disadvantaged and homeless backgrounds. Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Callister, says Aged Care Plus is proud to care for vulnerable older Australians through this unique service.

"Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre is highly specialised in the aged care industry, making it a much needed service for men who, without this service, wouldn't have access to the care they need," Sharon said.

The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand recognise and encourage best practice, excellence and innovation in mental health service delivery. TheMHS Conference is the largest mental health and addiction services conference in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. TheMHS aims to promote positive attitudes about mental health and mental illness, and to stimulate debate that challenges the boundaries of knowledge and ideas about mental health care.