The Violet Initiative Ltd in partnership with HammondCare, Estia Health, and the University of Wollongong has been awarded an ARIIA grant for their ‘Violet Aged Care Industry Solution’ project.
The Violet Aged Care Industry Solution builds the wellbeing and resilience of formal and informal caregivers of people in the last stage of life and reduces the social isolation of aged care consumers and their families during this time through a workforce development and targeted consumer support program. 60% predictable deaths (resulting from frailty/terminal illness) occur in aged care, however most aged care staff, residents and families receive inconsistent preparation, communication and support. This has significant mental health and wellbeing impacts, and death in this context is often isolated and regretful.
Violet’s Aged Care Industry Solution addresses this by:
- Supporting aged care workforces to more confidently and willingly identify residents entering the last stage of life.
- Upskilling staff to have safe and sensitive conversations with families.
- Establishing trusted referral pathways to Violet’s grief, loss and support programs.
- Increasing the mental wellbeing of carers and families, enabling them to feel confident and engaged as partners in the care of their loved one.
This program has been tested in Health, Aged Care and Corporate contexts with strong results. Violet is seeking to grow the program and build a deeper understanding of workforce, social and economic impacts, for adoption and commercialisation.
Project outcomes
Background and Aims
To help aged care staff and families feel more confident and comfortable when talking about end-of-life care. The project aimed to:
- Train aged care workers to better identify when residents are approaching end-of-life.
- Build staff skills for sensitive conversations with families about dying and grief.
- Connect families to support services during difficult times.
- Reduce the emotional burden on both staff and families during end-of-life care.
What We Did
To help aged care staff and families feel more confident and comfortable when talking about end-of-life care. The project aimed to:
- Train aged care workers to better identify when residents are approaching end-of-life
- Build staff skills for sensitive conversations with families about dying and grief
- Connect families to support services during difficult times.
- Reduce the emotional burden on both staff and families during end-of-life care
Outcomes
- Staff became more confident in having end-of-life conversations with residents and families.
- Families reported improved satisfaction with care (one partner saw satisfaction increase from 75% to 84%).
- Two of three partner organisations committed to continuing with Violet after the pilot.
- The program was found to help aged care providers meet new government quality standards for end-of-life care.
Impact on Aged Care and Workforce
- Aged care workers can feel better prepared and less stressed when dealing with death and dying.
- Families receive better support during one of life's most difficult times.
- Aged care homes can improve their quality of care and meet regulatory requirements.
- The program helps address the emotional well-being of both staff and families, potentially improving staff retention.
Resources
- Online training modules for all aged care staff.
- Specialised training program for senior staff leaders.
- Family support services including one-on-one counselling.
- Evaluation tools that aged care providers can use to assess their own end-of-life care quality.
- A framework for implementing end-of-life support programs in aged care settings.
Next Steps
The program is being refined into three flexible options:
1. Assessment tools to help aged care providers identify their needs.
2. Technology platform for self-guided staff and family support.
3. Full training and support program with champions and guides. This allows aged care providers to choose the level of support that fits their needs and resources.
Key contact details
The Violet Initiative Chief Executive Officer: Melissa Reader