Enhanced Allied Health for Older People (EAHOP) was run in addition to the established services at Calvary Haydon, with six allied health professionals - occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, dietetics, optometry, and pharmacy - embedded at the home. More than 30 residents, their families and Calvary staff were involved in the trial.

Calvary General Manager Aged Care – Southern NSW and ACT, Ben Williams, said the collaboration provided the opportunity to look at different ways of delivering care to our residents.

“Calvary is committed to continual improvement and quality care across our residential aged care homes, so being able to collaborate with UC to deliver this research project has been an incredible opportunity,” Mr Williams said.

Calvary Haydon resident Gillian Edwards transitioned to aged care following a stroke, and had limited movement when she joined the trial.

“Now I can move my right arm and even lift my leg. The trial has kept me very busy with a lot of different sessions with the allied health team, but I didn’t think I would be able to have this much movement again,” Ms Edwards.

Ms Edwards’ daughter, Celia Vuckovic, said her mother’s progress had been enormous.

“The project has been fantastic for my mum and I’m so happy she was able to take part. The wrap-around care it provided, with the different allied health professionals working with mum, myself and the staff here at Calvary Haydon, has been incredibly beneficial,” Ms Vuckovic said.

Project Lead and Deputy Director, Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, Professor Stephen Isbel, said Calvary Haydon had demonstrated commitment to delivering high quality care and recognised the benefits of partnering in this pilot for their residents.

“Australians in residential aged care have multiple needs – from speech to physical, and recreational needs – and to have access to all these services within the aged care setting is incredibly valuable, and can lead to better quality of life outcomes overall,” Professor Isbel said.

“Through this new model, we have been able to work closely with the residents, offering personalised care plans based on the participants’ individual needs. We look forward to completing our follow up assessments, which will clearly define the outcomes of the project.” Mr Williams added that Calvary looked forward to continuing its strong partnership with UC.

“We are always looking at ways to improve our residents’ care journey and it is great UC share that vision,” Mr Williams said.

“It is also incredibly beneficial to give their students the opportunity of working in an aged care setting. It opens up a student’s eyes to how rewarding a career in aged care can be.”

Results will be released later this year.