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Greg, Carpenter Court Aged Care Plus Centre resident (Credit: Photo by James Horan).

The award, presented at a ceremony in late August, recognises the implementation of a new way of caring for residents with mental health problems and associated severe and persistent challenging behaviours.  
 
The model of care has been developed at Carpenter Court Aged Care Plus Centre in Newcastle over the past three years and has resulted in increased resident well-being and increased occupancy at the centre.  
 
Aged Care Plus Executive Manager, Care Services, Peter Bewert, says the model of care is based on the development of individualised behaviour support plans with residents, their family members, doctors, local area health specialists and staff.  
 
“The focus is on person-centred care and creating a partnership between all stakeholders,” he says. “We are empowering our residents who live with mental health problems to identify the underlying emotional cause behind their behaviour, then to work with the team on ways that they can take control of their behaviour.” 
 
The trial has been transformational for those involved. A former resident, Max, had a history of failed admissions into residential aged care, homelessness and failed attempts at housing. He was frequently admitted to hospital for acute psychiatric care.  
 
“When he was admitted to Carpenter Court Aged Care Plus Centre and a behaviour support plan was developed for him, Max was able to live there happily until his death from natural causes,” says Mr Bewert. “He had been estranged from his family for a long time, but this was also resolved in his time living at Carpenter Court Aged Care Plus Centre.“ 
 
“We believe he died at peace.” 
 
The resulting success in placement of people, previously labelled as “un-placeable” has led to Carpenter Court Aged Care Plus Centre receiving resident referrals from across the Hunter, Sydney and wider NSW.  
 
“We know there is a gap in the market in specialist care for people with mental health problems,” says Mr Bewert. “At Aged Care Plus, we are willing to invest the time and the love to help these people to feel safe, secure and happy for the remaining years of their lives.” 
 
Aged Care Plus operates 17 residential aged care centres across NSW, ACT and QLD. Three of these centres – Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre, Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre and Carpenter Court Aged Care Plus Centre – offer specialised care for people living with mental illness. Aged Care Plus will be implementing the successful model of care across Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre and Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre in the coming months. 

To find out more about Aged Care Plus and their services, click here.