KIDS’ BETHLEHEM JOURNEY BREAKS DOWN AGED-CARE BARRIERS

With aged-care facing critical staff shortages and some negative press – especially during COVID – a positive new Mercy Health program is showing high school students the career opportunities the sector offers.

A ground-breaking intergenerational program, run in conjunction with Bendigo’s Catherine McAuley College (CMC) and the Australian Catholic University (ACU), encourages relationships and respect between secondary students and aged-care residents.

The program brings together CMC students and residents from Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged (Bendigo), with the students undertaking learning at the home as part of one of their regular classroom subjects.

Activities include: planning, conducting and evaluating resident activities (exercise classes, cooking); spending time with residents (recording their life stories or hearing about life events); learning new skills from residents (knitting, drum playing); teaching residents new skills (using a mobile phone or iPad; navigating a virtual museum); and taking part in reflective/debriefing sessions.

There are also pre-education sessions on topics including model of care, ageing, infection control, dementia, communication tips, palliative care and grief.

The interaction between residents and students has been so positive and productive that it has prompted some Year 10 students to ask about how they can pursue a career in aged care, while others have asked to do work experience at the home.

Mercy Health Chief Executive of Residential Aged Care, Home Care and Seniors Living, Associate Adjunct Professor Felix Pintado, and CMC Principal Brian Turner say a highlight of the two-year program has been the connection and warmth forged between students and residents.

“Some of the first CMC students who took part in the program still maintain regular contact with residents, while others are offering to return to the home to undertake some work,” Assoc Adj Prof Pintado said.

“There is evidence that the initiative is encouraging some students to consider a career in aged care.”

Mr Turner said all students who participated had done so voluntarily, which demonstrated many caring characteristics such as empathy, compassion and respect.

“Some of the students are naturally patient and selfless, which are qualities required to work in an industry like aged care,” Mr Turner said.

The program had also done a lot to change some of the students’ negative preconceptions.

“The media representation of aged care has been entirely negative, so they think it will be diabolical.” he says

“Then they have this experience and say it’s entirely different to their expectations.

“They go back to school at tell their friends, ‘You’re not going to believe what goes on at Bethlehem, the nature of the place, the well-being and the health of the residents’ (or their friends, as they call them.”

When the program began in early 2020, it was envisaged that about 75 students and their teachers would make weekly visits to the home to interact with residents. In 2021 the number increased to 120 students and 150 this year.

The program has led to the forging of some close, personal and emotional connections between students and residents.

Seventeen-year-old Ruby Robinson’s grandparents live in Britain, and until now she has had little interaction with senior citizens.

But her weekly visits to Bethlehem to see 94-year-old resident Jean McGlashen have changed her perception of aged care

“I thought it would be quiet, not a very fun place, but that has changed,” Ruby says.

“Jean has a great time, she has lots of stories, and causes lots of trouble and gets up to some mischief.

“Jean is been an inspiration. Before I met her I would never have considered aged care as a career, but I do now. I’ve absolutely loved it and got so much out of it.”

Assoc Adj Prof Pintado said Mercy Health was pleased to be partnering with a school within the Mercy ministry.

“Mercy Health is wholly committed to the program and we are excited to hear how CMC students progress, and of the many benefits that our residents enjoy through the engagement with younger people, which can help address loneliness and depression,” he said.

Mr Turner added students could learn and grow with wisdom from their elders and the development of essential life skills.

“The engagement fundamentally recognises the enormous value and worth of older citizens and what they can offer to their community,” he said.

Meantime, ACU researchers are reviewing and conducting analysis during the semester, using feedback from all participants. The program will be publicised soon.