The intersection of personalised care and built form

Publish date: 8 August 2024

With seventy years of experience, Bethanie continues to deliver aged care that focusses on the individual, while creating physical environments designed to enhance our resident’s experience.    

Guided by Mission, we aim to support our residents to age meaningfully.  This means different things for different people, and we help them find purpose in a way that is important to the individual.   
 
But what does this look like, and what should you be considering in an aged care home?   
 
Last weekend, Bethanie hosted a panel discussion at the Ageing Well EXPO in Perth which examined this idea from three different perspectives.  While there are beautiful buildings that lend themselves to happiness by design, there are also the people within that have the power to create positive experiences, or otherwise. 
 
And in fact, where older infrastructure pre-determines much of the physical elements on offer, its proven that the individualised approach is not contingent on built form and can be provided anywhere.  Bethanie Fields in Eaton is an excellent case study.   
 
A 20-year-old building with 160 beds divided into several wings, Fields scored 98% in the last 12 months Customer Experience survey.  Proof indeed that the team supporting the residents is key. 
 
Lead by Facility Manager Jolande Potter, Fields has been making some significant changes to the way they offer their care in recent months. 
 
“After widely consulting with staff, residents and families, we took all pre-conceived routines off the table and started again,” said Jolande. 
 
“Instead of being ‘task’ focussed, we are person focussed, which means we adapt to the residents needs and wants and do our very best to provide them with their care at a time that will enhance their wellbeing.” 
 
“For example, if a resident wants a sleep in, we won’t insist the ‘task’ of showering be done at their usual time; rather we will facilitate this care later.” 
 
“And for many of our residents living with dementia where sitting down for a meal is challenging, we offer finger food so they can continue their activity without stress,” added Jolande.  “It’s providing care in the way the resident wants that is the most important factor here.” 
 
At the forefront of innovation in building design, Bethanie has its own internal property team that both adheres to and emphasises the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines.  Bringing together four main Principles that directly reflect on physical design elements that create warmth and homeliness, these guidelines ensure future building for aged care will undoubtedly enhance wellbeing.   
 
These Principles consider colour, space, light, nature, connection with community and how privacy is ensured.  Practically, examples include nursing stations hidden from view, seamless outdoor access, and bedrooms with entryways that create privacy for the residents.  All clever design to build a feeling of home and security. 
 
Our newest residence, Bethanie Dalyellup intersects these design principles together with personalised care to elevate the resident’s experience.  
 
“Staff were chosen for Dalyellup more on their approach and understanding of person-centred care rather than experience alone,” said Sharon Beer, Dalyellup’s Facility Manager.   
 
“I was more interested in their willingness to do things differently, and to foster the expertise in-house.”  
 
“We created the skillset to be in harmony with the build; to effectively collaborate with the built form.  This is where the connection is right”. 
 
Ultimately, it does come back to the people at the helm and the team they surround themselves with.  Pam Peters has been a resident at Bethanie Geneff for two years, and she shared her experience of the care she continues to receive. 

“When I toured the home, I was struck with the beautiful gardens.  As a lifelong gardener when it was suggested I could play a part in their upkeep, I was immediately keen to move in,” said Pam. 

“The team have been able to facilitate my involvement in the gardening and I always have something on the go.  I write a regular newsletter update, and its become an important way to connect with others across the site too.” 

There’s a synergy in finding the right people to care for our residents while providing excellent care.  The new bricks and mortar – with sector Principles in place – certainly adds significance.   

How they intersect to amplify person centred care is the ultimate goal.