As of 1 July 2019, organisations providing aged care services in Australia are required to be compliant with the new Aged Care Quality Standards.

VMCH Residential and Retirement Services General Manager, Voula Yankoulas, says the new standards unashamedly focus on the customer and their choice and dignity.

“The new standards are a positive move forward, as they are based on customer feedback and outcomes, rather than processes and documentary evidence.”

Voula says the previous four standards have now been replaced with eight standards, with a strong focus on customer choice.

“In many ways, it challenges all of us as a society to be present to the issues around ageism. It also shows the benefits residents can obtain from being active participants in their care, as we do things with them, rather than for them.”

So what is VMCH doing differently?

We know that we provide top-quality care, but we are also constantly looking at how we can improve the lives of our residents.

Part of this includes ensuring our residents’ homes are modern, warm and inviting. This is why we have a long-term plan to build, renovate and refurbish our 11 aged care residences, to make each of them really feel like a home.

We have recently opened our brand new 59-bed extension at Providence in Bacchus Marsh, with Stage 2 now underway to renovate the existing residence. Our residents have all moved in, and have been getting to know their new home through walking groups, and a varied activities program.

St Catherine’s in Balwyn is a beautiful heritage building which will now have an interior to match, as it is undergoing a refurbishment and extension project. Stage 1 of this project is complete and Stage 2 is well and truly underway.

Bundoora is the next of our residences to receive an upgrade, with additions and refurbishments in the dining and living room areas of the two houses. As with all of our residences, their kitchenette will be upgraded to align with the Montessori approach to resident’s choosing and serving their own meals.

We want our residents to have dignity and choice when it comes to their aged care options, and this includes providing an inviting home which allows for more independence, and a sense of belonging.

We are also looking at how we can continue to do more for our residents, and determine what the standard is for our own care practice, which aims to go above and beyond. Our residents deserve it.