Question

Read the case study, then answer the questions that follow. This is a course in aged care in australia

Case study (questions 19-21)

John works in a residential group home for adults with physical disability. The routine includes a weekly group outing for the residents. All residents must attend, as staffing levels do not provide for staff to remain at the group home to supervise residents who do not participate in the group outing.

Not all residents get their first choice of outing and John tries to make this a bit fairer by allowing residents to take it in turns to choose the outing each week, but residents are not happy with this.

John has discovered that the low levels of staffing in the group home have come about because the manager agreed to share his allocation of staff with another group home which is supervised by his fiancée.

John is aware that this is an ethical issue which impacts on service and practice standards.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are two indicators John can use to identify work practices need to be improved? (Approx. 25 words).

2. Describe how John should go about developing a new policy regarding the activities. (Approx. 45 words).

3. What actions could John take to engage the residents in the review of the current activity process? List and describe three things he could do in your answer. (Approx. 15 words).

Answer 1

1. Indicators for improvement of work practices:

• Clear description of duties and responsibilities and scope of service of the care providers including weekly outings to the clients at the aged care home is required to avoid any misunderstanding between them.
• Need based quality care plan has to be formulated and implemented that must focus on the clients needs and preferences in consultation with the client and the family's value system.

2. Development of a new policy for plan of activities:

• Roles of the staff must be written and judiciously followed while in practice
• Staff must follow hierarchy while on performance of duties
• Scope of service of each staff should be explained to the them and their clients
• Confidentiality has to be maintained related to the client's personal information
• Staff should be trained on communication skills and how to protect their clients from any sexual misconduct
• Any absenteism must be communicated to the client
• Documentation must be practised at all levels of staffing to met client needs
• Any request made by the client out of scope of practice has to be considered and documented

3. Actions to be taken in review of current activities:

• Each client's values and needs must be respected and considered
• Explain clearly the scope of practice and the level of staffing to plan care with the client so as to achieve the set goals
• Involve the client and family in decision making
• Make sure that the client receives the required care at correct time when needed