The crucial nature of relationships in high quality care

American photographer and sociologist Professor Cathy Greenblat was so moved by the relationships she encountered at a Queensland aged care residence that she decided to document her visit on film.

It Takes a Community tells the story of Arcare Helensvale, where the culture of care is defined by the strength of its relationships between staff, residents and families.

Professor Greenblat’s experiences at Helensvale have been the crowning moment of a six-month consultation process by Arcare to improve their dementia strategy.

The organisation engaged stakeholders over 60 hours of focus groups and in-depth interviews to arrive at a care model that put relationships at the forefront.

Initially intended for Arcare’s dementia units, the relational approach now guides practice across their entire continuum of care.

At the core of the relational model is Arcare’s dedicated staffing assignment, which puts an end to staff rotations.

From cleaners to personal care attendants, Arcare staff are now committed to at least three shifts a week working with the same residents.

Several close and caring relationships have blossomed under the strategy’s broader rollout earlier in the year.

Staff trained in the medical model were initially reluctant to abandon their problem-solving approach, but through intensive workshopping, visionary leadership and lots of communication, they have now changed the way they think about care.

Staff now see a resident’s strength before their weakness.

Arcare dementia strategy manager Daniella Greenwood says the idea that being old equates to being sick and vulnerable is a problem.

“Clinical support only represents a small part of what older people need,” she says.

“We believe that developing open and respectful relationships between family, staff and residents is the most important thing we do.”

Image: Laughter and joy at Arcare Helensvale. CONTRIBUTED.