In Australia, in the past 25 years the population aged 65 and over (older Australians) increased from 10.5% to 14% (3.1 million). Approximately 6% of older Australians (180, 300) live in residential care and because of changes... [ view full abstract ]
In Australia, in the past 25 years the population aged 65 and over (older Australians) increased from 10.5% to 14% (3.1 million). Approximately 6% of older Australians (180, 300) live in residential care and because of changes to policies about community care options, Australians will increasingly enter aged care facilities at an older age (ABS, 2013). As a result, residential care facilities will be required to change their care models to deal with residents who are frailer upon entry. Such changes may require residential care to move away from non-acute and sub-acute treatment, to early intervention and acute response care.
Older Australians are the largest repeat users of healthcare, utilizing hospitals more frequently and staying longer, costing taxpayers and insurance companies millions of dollars each year. In particular, people aged 55 years and over accounted for over 60% of patient days in 2009-10 (AIHW, 2011). We argue that one way of reducing the cost and burden of aging populations evident in the western world is to build on Walker’s (2015) concept of “active aging” by embedding the principles of “positive care management” in those who care for older Australians in hospitals and aged care facilities. Active aging refers to the goal of increasing the health, engagement and quality of life of older people, however, whilst there is general agreement from all stakeholders including the World Health Organization (WHO) about the merits of such a goal, there is not an established process or even an active debate in progress about how to achieve this aim (Walker, 2015).
Positive care is a carer-centred concept that incorporates evidence-based care models from positive organisational behaviour (POB) and social exchange theory. Positive Organizational Behaviour (POB) is a theoretical lens from which positive constructs emerge. Luthan et al (2007) defined POB uses positive psychological capacities that can be measured, developed, and effectively managed so as to improve organizational performance. The discipline promotes the use of deductive research methods that uses valid measures and research procedures to determine the impact of individual emotive-cognitive resources on performance outcomes (Luthan & Avolio, 2007). New constructs such as ‘psychological capital’ have been developed under the POB umbrella to examine employee resilience and the impact on their performance.
This paper uses multi-level structural equation model to examine the resilience and wellbeing in older Australians and the impact that personal and organisational support has on personal carers in promoting resilience and wellbeing in older Australians.
Reference
Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS) (2013) Reflecting a nation: Stories from the 2011 Census 201 2 -20 | 3 207 I .0 AB S website (http//www. abs. gov. au).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2011). Australian hospital statistics 2007-08. Health Services Series 33 Cat. no. HSE 7T. Canbena: AIHW.
Luthans, F., Youssef, C.M., & Avolio, B. J. (2007). Psychological capital: Developing the human competitive edge. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
Walker, A (2015)Active ageing: Realising its potential Australasian Journal on Ageing, 34 (1)
