“Count Us In” Social Inclusion Project Illoura Residential Aged Care Northeast Health Wangaratta T: (03) E: “Connected, Not Rejected”

Increase social interaction opportunities for residents, using information technology to link residents with family, friends and the local and wider community. Project Aim:

Project Objectives: To provide residents with access to equipment and training to maintain communication links with identified stakeholders. Establish ongoing networks with local schools targeting senior students and community groups to enable the project to continue post project funding period.

Project Objectives: To enhance community links, maintain social contact, provide opportunities for mental stimulation and give residents access to individual topics of interest for ongoing learning.

Activities: Project Worker employed to develop and deliver social inclusion project to residents, their family and friends, volunteers and staff

Activities: Researched, purchased and setup ergonomic equipment to enhance participation levels and give greater access to the program for residents with disabilities

Activities: Liaised with Nursing Homes around Victoria to see what IT programs they were offering to their residents Ongoing liaising with NHW IT Department through out the project

Activities: Formed a partnership with local secondary schools, where the students come in on a weekly basis to assist residents with the internet

Activities: Establish a partnership with Western District Health Service to be included with their Virtual Visiting Project

Activities: Created manuals, procedures/forms on Virtual Visiting and

Activities: Established a public address for the Lifestyle Team which enables families to have easy access to and support from the Lifestyle Team rather than individual contact

Activities: Provided training to staff and volunteers

Activities: Setup Skype for residents wishing to participate, provide support assistance and training to residents, families and friends Setup accounts for residents

Activities: We have assisted 3 families to conduct individual Virtual Visits in WA, Gippsland and Canada Family Virtual Visiting in Western Australia

Activities: Established weekly virtual group activities/pen pals/quizzes with other Nursing Homes

Activities: We interviewed our residents to find out their interests and then used that information when introducing them to the Internet

Activities: Volunteer Andrew showing Illoura resident and her husband Google Maps. They enjoyed seeing places where they lived in the past and where their children are living.

Activities: Project has been promoted in: monthly facility newsletter monthly stakeholders meetings staff meetings resident admission handbook Article in December 2009 Northeast Health Wangaratta Base Bulletin

Activities: The Wangaratta Chronicle April 2010

Key Achievements: The equipment we purchased has been suitable for our residents’ requirements

Key Achievements: Established ongoing partnerships with other facilities and schools which will help sustain the project post funding

Key Achievements: One resident was able to participate in a family Christmas party through a virtual visit with her sister in Gippsland whom she had not seen in 20 years One resident from the Dementia specific wing along with his wife were able to virtual visit with their granddaughter in Canada

Key Achievements: New friendships have been established with residents and staff from other facilities

Key Achievements: Residents have reconnected with friends overseas and also locally with their families

Key Achievements: Those residents who are unable to participate in community outings are able to use the internet to provide them with access to their interests

Key Achievements: Nursing staff have seen positive outcomes from the project and have therefore shown greater enthusiasm i.e. approaching families on weekends and encouraging their participation in the program

Key Achievements: Recruited a volunteer with good IT knowledge who is able to work independently with residents

Key Achievements: 42 staff trained in computer programs and procedures ensuring they are able to competently participate in the social inclusion program

Challenges:  It has taken a lot longer than anticipated to get our schools involved due to contracts, agreements and consent  Equipment delays

Challenges:  NHW Policy requires the IT Department to install equipment and software Delays i.e. computers were delivered but not configured, found there were no restrictions on the computer, IT had to create new IT Policy for residents

Challenges:  Perception of some families and staff that our residents “were past it” and incapable of participating in the program

Challenges:  Time allocated to Project Worker was underestimated. Initially the project was to concentrate on and internet, but through research of other nursing homes we were encouraged to join another project to include virtual visiting.

Challenges:  Some Lifestyle Team members found change difficult and were not confident with the technology, perceiving it was taking up too much of their time

Challenges:  Delays with families in setting up their virtual visits which has required assistance from staff to help troubleshoot their problems  Some families have been slow in providing contact details resulting in frustration to staff and residents

Challenges:  Administration assistance was limited to document control manuals and procedures which were created by the project worker

Challenges:  We have had instances where residents have been brought to the virtual visit program but there are problems linking up with the other nursing homes

Challenges:  Residents have shown disappointment when checking their s that there hasn’t been any replies

Resources Produced Spreadsheets Gmail Internet Accounts for Residents Virtual Visiting Volunteers Skype Accounts Virtual Visiting Facilities Skype Accounts Virtual Visiting Skype Accounts of Residents Family and Friends - for record keeping and reference

Resources Produced Forms Resident Computer Access Virtual Visiting Booking Info sheet Virtual Visiting Group Activity Information Sheet Resident Computer Activity Record Sheet

Resources Produced Manuals and Procedures Virtual Visiting Families Setup Manual Virtual Visiting Volunteers Create Gmail Internet Account – Lifestyle Computer Procedure for Residents - Lifestyle