title: Challenges associated with implementing an education program in a residential aged care setting.
abstract: The link between independence and well-being of older people in residential care is well established. This paper reports some challenges encountered during implementation of an education program designed to assist nursing staff to adopt an independence-supporting model of residential care. The education program was part of a larger project aimed at developing an example of best practice in supported care which promotes independence, well-being and community linkages. Implementation of the program created many interesting challenges which were overcome by strategies and facilitating forces such as support from management and some staff and the collaborative nature of the project. Positive outcomes of the education program included increased awareness of and change in, practice; increased staff-resident interaction; and increased encouragement for residents to be independent and to engage with the wider community. Moreover, a facilitator manual - Promoting Independence: A Learning Resource for Aged Care Workers was subsequently developed so that the program can be implemented in aged care facilities elsewhere.
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: Deanne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaskill
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking; D002321:Career Choice; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009042:Motivation; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation; D010560:Personnel Selection; D011793:Queensland