The Count us in! project

Page contents: The Project Model | Achieving Sustainable Change | Some ideas for projects | Measuring outcomes

The Count us in! project will provide funding to community based agencies to work with Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services and others in the community to conduct initiatives that promote social inclusion for people living in residential aged care.

The Project Model

Count us in! will focus on Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services (PSRACS). The results from all funded projects will be made widely available.

Submissions will be invited from established organisations to research, develop, implement and report on fixed term (6 month) projects in partnership with PSRACS within local communities.

Project proposals will need to show how the project will improve engagement of the broader community with residential aged care in ways that add to residents’ quality of life and to the community.

Count us in! projects will need to:

• promote a positive image and valued roles for senior Victorians;
• include options for people with all levels and types of support needs;
• involve residents and their families/friends/carers in planning and implementation;
• make use of existing resources wherever possible;
• build on or link with any other current initiatives;
• encourage volunteer contribution; and
• demonstrate strong potential to create ongoing opportunities and benefits, both locally and more broadly.

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Achieving Sustainable Change

At the project sites:

• Increased engagement between the local community and residential aged care residents.
• Improved access for people in residential aged care to the local community social supports and activity infrastructure.
• Improved health and wellbeing for people in residential aged care.
• Increased expectation that it is usual for people in residential aged care to be involved in their local community
• Opportunities for local residents of all ages to spend time with and learn from older people and to contribute their skills, time and energy to make a positive difference to the residents’ quality of life.

Across the community:

• Changing image of and attitude to residential aged care and the people living there.
• Resources in the form of:
  • project reports (including information on how project was conducted,
    impact on residents, the service and the community).
  • champions (individuals and agencies who have completed projects and
    are available to pass on their expertise and support others)
  • networks with individuals and organisations.

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Some ideas for projects

Funding will be allocated to projects involving:

• establishment of groups and networks
• resident participation in community education, recreation or social activities
• production of resources
• promotion, training and publicity relating to social inclusion for people in residential aged care

Project activities may be conducted outside residential aged care facilities, within facilities or in a combination of venues, but must focus on including people as part of the wider community.

The project support and administration work can be completed by personnel from the funded agency, contracted workers or staff within the PSRACS, or a combination of these, provided that appropriate coordination is provided.

Some examples of the type of activity that may be incorporated in Count us in!
initiatives are:

• Formation of a speakers network of PSRACS residents who are available to give talks to interested groups on a variety of relevant topics
• Plan and conduct a local history forum – PSRACS residents in association with local history group, school or other community members.
• Use technology to establish networks –school students or other young people assist PSRAC residents to establish computer-based links with family, friends and others.
• Story groups/music groups/book groups – small groups of PSRAC residents and others meet fortnightly at a community venue such as library or neighbourhood centre
• Personal histories - PSRAC residents in association with school community, using personal photos, documents, memories. Could lead into a short documentary or collection of stories.

Submissions for funding will need to clearly show how the initiative will address project objectives and how it will have an ongoing impact on inclusion for people in residential aged care.

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Measuring outcomes

All projects will need to provide evaluation plans as part of their submission. These evaluations will need to measure project outcomes and issues from the perspective of residents, resident family/friends/advocates, PSRACS staff and management, the funded organisation, the local community, the broader society.

The involvement of residents must be a core aspect of project evaluation Evaluations will incorporate qualitative and quantitative elements wherever feasible.

Recommendations for future projects and strategies to promote sustainability will also be required.

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