Research Abstract: Free Paper - Poster Presentation Only Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Brilliant Aged Care in Action: A Qualitative Study (#147)

Ann Dadich 1 , Rachael Kearns 2 , Ben Harris-Roxas 3 , Danielle Ní Chróinín 4 5 , Katherine Boydell 6 , Éidín Ní Shé 7 , David Lim 8 , Peter Gonski 9 10 , Friedbert Kohler 5 11
  1. Western Sydney University, School of Business, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Geriatric Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
  5. UNSW Sydney, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
  6. Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
  8. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  9. South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  10. UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  11. South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Aim: While recent evidence has highlighted deficits in aged care, some services perform considerably better. We aimed to identify and learn from brilliance within the aged care sector.

Methods: We invited nominations for a Brilliant Aged Care Award via a survey, which included details of the nominee, why they were nominated, and how the nominator defined brilliant aged care. We then conducted semi-structured interviews with the nominees to clarify how they enacted it. We undertook inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data.

Results: Nominations were received from academics (n=4), doctors (n=3), a clinician researcher (n=1), nurse (n=1), and service manager (n=1). Twelve nominees were interviewed, including clinicians (n=8), professionals affiliated with a not-for-profit or private organisation (n=3), and an academic (n=1). The nominees represented hospitals (n=4), aged care services (n=3), a consumer organisation (n=1), and research institute (n=1). The nominators and nominees agreed that brilliant aged care exceeded expectation, bringing joy and delight to others. It involved being relationally-attuned to older people. The nominees suggested that brilliant aged care is fostered by: a deep understanding of the older person; a recognition of aged care as more than a job; and being open to trying different strategies.

Conclusion: We identified brilliance within aged care. These emphasise the importance of meaningful connections and relationships in aged care, as well as creativity and innovation, highlighting that small changes in practice can make a difference to older people.