NurseWatch has positioned itself at the forefront of supportive care by in the home by developing a new model for aged care with core principles of inclusion and respect for those in the LGBTI community – combined with individual care and clinical excellence.
NurseWatch founder and CEO, Kate Spurway, will talk about the new NurseWatch model next week in her presentation titled ‘Inclusive Practice within a Wellness Care and Social Model,’ at the ACON Pride in Practice Conference on Tuesday 4th December at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
Ms Spurway is a registered nurse and she developed the NurseWatch model after working for many years within the aged care sector. During this time she observed key operational gaps in the sector which were leading to below par service delivery. One of the most noticeable of these areas was the inability of many providers to understand and support the growing diversity of people in our society.
Set up to be inclusive for everyone
“NurseWatch is a premium home care service provider,” says Ms Spurway. “We’re delighted to be associated with ACON’s Pride in Health + Wellbeing program as its core objectives align with our services. At NurseWatch, we value LGBTI clients and provide customised care which respects the individual and their right to determine their own continuum of care journey.”
Ms Spurway says to set up an affirming and inclusive environment for those who are LGBTI and requires a combination of understanding them as a population and at the same time, treating each LGBTI person as a unique individual.
“Effectively serving LGBTI patients requires us to understand the cultural context of their lives, and to modify our procedures, behaviour, and language to be inclusive, non-judgmental, and helpful at all times,” she says.
Baby Boomers will change the home care model
Historically, home care was only called for when an older person experienced a significant medical event in the home. These events included things such as: a fall; mismanagement of medications; loss of a loved one; or a serious medical incident such as a heart attack or a stroke.
When such an event occurred, traditionally, home care would be called in to help the older person cope. But the NurseWatch model of care is different and more in line with the Baby Boomers ethos and our current lifestyle.
Many industry experts have predicted the Baby Boomers will change the traditional home care model – for more on this see the latest story in the Women’s Weekly December 2018 issue, page 84: Seniors having a moment. The story details the way the Baby Boomers are set to revolutionise ageing, determined to grow old with chutzpah.
In line with a more modern approach to home care, NurseWatch provides its clients with a full range of wellness services which promote independence through:
- Personal care
- 24-hour care
- Chronic disease management
- Medical appointments
- Wound care
- Medication assistance
- Allied Health
- LGBTI Concierge Service
- Massage Therapy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Exercise Physiology
- Social: carpentry, tool making, ballet, companion care, getaways, theatre, opera
- Post hospital care
- Celebrating a Life Lived – Palliative Care
- Cognitive Health – Montessorian Aged Care Specialist
- Continence support and advice
- Holiday/travel assistance
- Catering to the individual at all times
So much more than ‘help in the home’
Ms Spurway says NurseWatch does more than ‘provide care in the home: “Our team supports people and in doing so, helps them create positive living opportunities so they can live their lives to the fullest – the life they choose with the people who matter to them,” she explains.
“We begin by asking what support the person wants and in partnership with that person, we build a suite of services to support their fullest life on their terms,” Ms Spurway adds.
“We believe in choice and flexibility of services and provide this through our Wellness, Care and Social packages – as well as membership offerings. Our tailored approach of engagement, social inclusion and sensitivity to personal relationships and family circumstances allows each person, regardless of health status, to thrive and enjoy positive living opportunities,” she adds.
- NurseWatch is one of seven foundation members of the Pride Health+wellbeing program.You can see more about this innovative program here – https://www.acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/pride-inclusion-programs/
- The NurseWatch senior management team has attended Silver Rainbow LGBTI Aged Care Awareness Trainingand Kate Spurway represents NurseWatch on the advisory committee. To see more, visit: https://lgbtihealth.org.au/silver-rainbow-training/
To find out more visit www.nursewatch.com.au
