Elizabeth Jenkins Place Dementia Care Launch

The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus celebrated the official launch of the internationally award winning dementia care model, the 'Butterfly Household Model of Care', at Elizabeth Jenkins Place Aged Care Plus Centre in Collaroy, New South Wales on Thursday 12 October.

Developed, pioneered and operated by UK based Dementia Care Matters, the Butterfly Household Model of Care challenges the traditional clinical approach to care, shifting to a person-centred model, empowering residents to live life their way. The model promotes relaxed, unscheduled days, and homely environments, allowing residents to openly express their feelings and desires and participate in activities they are interested in, at a time convenient to them.

Special guests helped celebrate the launch of the model, including CEO and Founder of Dementia Care Matters, Dr David Sheard, Mayor of the Northern Beaches Council, Michael Regan and Councillor Sue Heins.

"Dementia Care Matters focuses on achieving culture change in care homes through our philosophy, 'Feelings Matter Most'. Today we are celebrating the launch of a model that values emotional intelligence, inspiring leadership, domestic household living and the core belief that everyone living with dementia can be reached as whole person," Dr David Sheard said.

Aged Care Plus was selected as the first Australian provider to launch this revolutionary model of care in July 2016 at The Cairns Aged Care Plus Centre at Chapel Hill, Queensland and at Mountain View Aged Care Plus Centre in Narrabundah, Australian Capital Territory. Since the pilot of this model at these two residential aged care centres, Aged Care Plus has seen the quality of life, health and wellbeing for residents living with dementia significantly improve, leading Aged Care Plus to launch this model at Elizabeth Jenkins Place Aged Care Plus Centre.

"This model has seen the benefits emotional connectivity can have on the physical, psychological and social wellness of residents living with dementia. In essence, we have been able to quantify that love, peace, joy and hope are key to quality of life and this is achieved through this model of care," said Peter Bewert, Aged Care Plus Executive Manager for Care Services, Governance and International Relations.

Chief Executive Officer for Aged Care Plus, Sharon Callister, said Aged Care Plus is passionate about providing the highest quality of care to older Australians.

"Aged Care Plus is committed to transforming the way dementia care is delivered to older Australians through a person-centred approach, and by launching this model of care at Elizabeth Jenkins Place Aged Care Plus Centre, we have the wonderful opportunity to enhance the quality of life for our residents living with dementia," Sharon said.

Since the implementation of the Butterfly Household Model of Care at two Aged Care Plus centres, there has been a 81% reduction in falls at The Cairns Aged Care Plus Centre at Chapel Hill and a 70% reduction in falls at Mountain View Aged Care Plus Centre. Reports have also shown a reduction in expressive behaviours, and a decrease in the number of residents who require psychotropic medication.

The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus are industry leaders in the provision of physical, emotional and spiritual care, and in their efforts, care for over 1,700 older Australians annually.