Village given three months to improve

Peninsula Village Retirement Centre have been given three-months to address three out of 44 matters assessed by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

According to the report issued by the Agency, the local retirement centre did not have "effective" management of clinical information on all occasions.

"Information about clinical matters is often inaccurate or incomplete," the report stated.

"The assessing team identified a number of cases where residents' records were incomplete.

"For example, recording of the evaluation of wound dressings and the administration of pain relieving medications did not always occur."

Peninsula Village chief executive officer Ms Terri Parker said that although the retirement centre had experienced shortfalls in the standard of documentation maintained, at no time was the high standard and quality of care of elderly residents not upheld.

"At no time have our services and quality of care been deemed at risk to our residents," Ms Parker said.

"The agency has identified a minor shortfall in the way we operate our information management systems.

"This has nothing to do with the standard and quality of care shown to our residents.

"We are always looking for ways to improve the delivery of our care and services, and will be working closely with staff and the agency over the coming weeks to ensure this is the case.

"Assessors have already indicated to us that they are more than impressed with the rate in which we have improved on the three outcomes identified.

"At all times we have maintained transparency with our residents and their families and friends along with the wider community.

"Residents and their families have shown their full support throughout this process and we are extremely grateful for their understanding."

Ms Parker said the local retirement centre currently employed around 320 staff with the majority living on the Peninsula.

She said 60 staff had been training and preparing to deliver a new form of aged care called the Eden Alternative.

"We are very excited to be bringing this new philosophy of aged care to the Peninsula and our residents," Ms Parker said.

"The Eden Alternative is all about combating boredom, loneliness and helplessness experienced by the elderly and those living in aged care through 10 principles.

"This is an exciting change for us and we are committed to bringing the delivery and quality of aged care to the next level.

"It is going to be a huge culture change for all Peninsula Village stakeholders.

"The Eden Alternative is a philosophy of person-directed care that focuses upon empowering residents, staff, families and other stakeholders to provide a better life for our residents.

"The Eden Alternative is a powerful tool for inspiring wellbeing for our residents and those who collaborate with them as care providers.

"This will include a close and continuing contact with humans, animals and plants."

Ms Parker said the village had already begun establishing a men's shed, community garden and community arts and crafts centre to promote the Eden Alternative.

Clare Graham, 26 Jul 2010 Interviewee: Terri Parker, Peninsula Village Report, 21 May 2010 Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency