GIFSA + NULSEN
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH
the brief:
Jenny Gleeson Coaching & Consulting conducted a series of interviews, assessments and observations over the course of the year to assess whether or not the quality of life had improved for six Indigenous people who moved out of aged care facilities into a purpose built facility. In their previous situation, they had very little control over their living arrangements and lifestyle choices.
Moving into a facility that is set up as a ‘home’ away from home, provided them with more independence and opportunities to be actively involved in daily decision making such as what to wear, what to eat, where to go, whom to visit and when.
STRATEGY:
Jenny Gleeson Coaching & Consulting developed a set of culturally appropriate tools to measure the quality of life of the six residents over a 12-month period.
​
The following demographical information was perused:
-
Disability types
-
Health issues identified
-
Mental health problems
-
Behaviours of concern
-
Frequency of visits to and from family and friends
-
Frequency of travel outside of where they live inc: participation in shopping and leisure activities outside of where they live
-
Areas in life that people are supported to make choices
-
Current and desired future role participation
-
Length of time person can be left alone
-
Hours spent watching television per day
-
Family outcome measure
KEY OBJECTIVES:
There were two major purposes, one being to analyse the quality of life for six Indigenous people with acquired brain injuries who moved out of current residential care into alternative accommodation and support options. Whilst the second purpose was to assess the effectiveness of the partnership between a metropolitan based disability service organisation (Nulsen) and rural (GIFSA) based not for profit community organisation.
RESULT:
Over the twelve-month period Jenny Gleeson Coaching & Consulting sat with various family members in a variety of settings (such as in the back of cars, remote communities, out bush) to speak with them about their thoughts and feeling of the new residential home. We collated all of this information, both quantitative and qualitative, over the twelve-month period and provided this information back to both GIFSA and Nulsen in a highly critical document. This information has since been used across Australia as best practice examples.
​
For the residents, the results are significant. Family members visited more often and two of the residents are out of their wheelchairs and walking with two wheeler walkers. One of the residents also moves his fingers more, laughs and tries to speak. Family members have stated that they much prefer visiting the home as it doesn’t feel ‘like a prison’ and they can stay for meals. They are also able to bring roo tail for their family members and cook it in the kitchen oven.
