Two Victorian projects that embraced telehealth to reach vulnerable clients have received national team awards for excellence in aged care and allied health.
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The teams behind a wellbeing clinic for older adults and a program helping heart and lung conditions to improve their health took out the top Team Excellence titles at the HESTA Excellence Awards.
Swinburne University of Technology's Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults was recognised for providing outstanding mental health care and support for aged care residents and was presented with the Team Excellence in Aged Care trophy.
The Team Excellence in Allied Health prize went to Alpine Health's Pulmonary and Cardiac Exercise and Education (PACE) team, for going above and beyond to deliver outstanding client care in the face of great challenges and adversity.
Swinburne University Professor of Psychology and clinic co-director Sunil Bhar said the team strived to bring compassion, support and wellness to people living in residential aged care and their families.
"We have seen the faces of residents light up as we enter the room, the look of joy and wonder as we conjure up computer images of their home town, and the gratitude of their families as we sit by the bed of an older relative and offer a listening ear," he said.
Responding to the restrictions to face-to-face visiting as a result of COVID-19, the clinic's team established the National Telehealth Counselling and Support Service, which provides support to vulnerable aged care residents who may be experiencing mental health issues including depression, anxiety and loneliness.
Alpine Health PACE program co-ordinator Maree Jenkin said it was a "wonderful honour" for the program - a result of partnerships between the public and private health sectors - to achieve national recognition.
"The PACE program has an incredible group of health professionals who share vision and passion for their work," Ms Jenkin said.
PACE provides combined cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation for communities within the Alpine Shire. As bushfires threatened the region and caused members to evacuate, the team continued to deliver the program to clients using telehealth via phone and internet.
The PACE team can provide cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs at community venues or in the home, rather than at hospital. "The team has been running and running, adapting and changing our service so rapidly this year, we feel we've just scratched the surface of what's possible in telehealth and rural areas," Ms Jenkin said.
Outstanding organisation
Meanwhile a community program providing neighbourhood-based support for older people at risk of isolation saw a South Australian aged care provider win national recognition.
Enabling Confidence at Home (ECH) was named the winner of the Outstanding Organisation Award in the aged care category at the HESTA Excellence Awards.
The award was given to ECH for its commitment to supporting older people through its inclusive model of care and service delivery, community-based interdisciplinary care, affordable housing, investment in technology and support for the LGBTI community.
The company developed a prototype "connected communities" program, which promotes and provides neighbourhood-based support for older people at risk of social isolation.
Award winners were announced via a public broadcast, with all winners receiving $7500 in prize money.
ECH chief executive David Panter said the prize money will enable the group to continue providing support and social connection programs and activities, benefiting more than 500 clients.
"We know that remaining socially connected is the glue that helps older people stay living independently at home," he said.
"We'll be using the prize money to help fund and expand our program of social connections activities."
Geraldine Cardozo
Features Editor at The Senior.
Features Editor at The Senior.
