Presented By:Kay Hevey MHSc(OSH), Grad.Dip.OHM, CPMSIA, RSP-Aust.Managing DirectorGSLS Pty. Ltd.E-mail: info@gsls.com.auPhone: +61 03 9398 2414

When age or disability occurs in a family, the person who undertakes the care relinquishes their normal life to care for their family member.

These carers often find it difficult to cope with the level of stress that this stage of life brings.

In Victoria, Australia we refer to these carers as “Primary Carers”

A state based program operates in Victoria, which has been designed to provide help and assistance to the elderly or disabled person, while providing support to the Primary Carer.

The program provides links to specialised services such as dietary, vision, hearing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, in-home care, personal care and respite.

However many of our elderly do not have family or Primary Carer support – therefore the importance of the in-home care program is paramount.

The people who undertake this care

are called “Direct Care Workers” (DCW).

Early

Investigation

Findings

No formal work procedures

were in place

Minimal management of

the work program within

the homes

Limited consultation

with the client or primary carer

Significant compromise

issues for the DCW

00Lack of link between assessment and the

work programs for DCWs

Management Structure for In-Home Care Communication in our Community:

MANAGEMENT

CLIENT

SERVICE PROVIDER/

CARER

MANAGEMENT

CLIENTSERVICE

PROVIDER / CARER

PREVIOUS NOW

Pastoral Caring Role

Linking systems to people for more effective safety management

DCW Training focusing on hazards re working in isolation, strategies to manage hazards, with a strong emphasis on reporting issues to Management.

Assessment Officer Training covering assessment of client needs, referrals to support agencies eg dietary, OT, vision etc., including the safety issues and work programs for DCW’s.

Information for the client and primary carer to ensure they understood the role of DCW.

Management Training in developing and implementing systems which were monitored and reviewed.

A program was launched for this industry with a focus on the following stakeholders

The training enabled DCW’s to better understand their professional role in the care of their clients, while emphasising safe work procedures and the support of Management in the program and safe work procedures across activities:

• In-Home care – vacuuming, mopping, bed making, shower/bath cleaning etc.

• Personal Care – showering & assistance with personal needs.

• Meals preparation

• Respite – breaks for the Primary Carer.

Other services include:

• Meals-On-Wheels

• Gardening, property maintenance

SERVICES

Stage three of this program - implementation of a behavioural safety Peer Support Program.

Research identified risks associated with isolated work environments; Compromise by the client/primary carer/family member; Lack of assertiveness to deal with confrontation.

Direct Care Workers volunteer for training to undertake Peer Support , enabling them to attending homes to provide support to other team members: Observing tasks and safe work practices; Reporting at-risk equipment /environments; Assist in reporting safety issues to Management; Providing positive feedback to the DCW to reinforce a team approach, both to the client and the primary carer.

IDENTIFIED RESULTS OF

PROGRAM

Injuries in the Municipalities employing this program have

decreased

Serious injuries have

also decreased significantly

DCW’s have more control

over their work environment

Clients/Primary Carers better informed &

involved in training eg transfers etc

Improved Career Path and Staff Retention

Building a modern safety culture

The highest priority must be given to safety issues

Management must respond efficiently and effectively to safety issues

Workers must feel confident not only in hazard reporting but in their continued involvement in the risk mitigation process

Safety issues must be constantly assessed and reviewed

Annual reviews are undertaken of positive indicators to evaluate and continue improvement in the safety system

One Municipality has expanded this program involving DCW’s – upgrading and increasing skills, autonomy and confidence:

In Home Foot Care Program – Podiatrist Training

Making a Move – exercise program OT training

Medication – assisting clients with low risk needs

Healthy Communities – Clients & Carers physical activities and nutrition

Healthy Ageing Demonstration Project – Improving workforce capacity & service delivery

Providing assistance to GSLS to develop the new Safe Working Guides.

“ I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow human being, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Stephen Grellet.

Presented By:Kay Hevey MHSc(OSH), Grad.Dip.OHM, CPMSIA, RSP-Aust.Managing DirectorGSLS Pty. Ltd.E-mail: info@gsls.com.auPhone: +61 039398 2414