Home for vulnerable residents found to have multiple benefits

HammondCare’s purpose-built aged care home for people with high care needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness has received its first evaluation.

The evaluation, published in the latest edition of BMC Geriatrics, considered the impact on the lives of 35 residents over their first 12 months following their admission between March 2020 and April 2021. It found that the care provided by the home significantly improved residents’ wellbeing and quality of life while also maintaining their physical functioning.

Opened in 2020, HammondCare Darlinghurst provides a permanent home for up to 42 residents over four floors, with one floor specifically for older women at risk of homelessness. HammondCare said its specialised care model offering support for older people with high care needs makes the home unique in NSW.

Construction was partly funded by the HammondCare Foundation, with larger donors including The Ian Potter Foundation, City of Sydney and the Snow Foundation. The Darlinghurst Road site was provided by St John’s Anglican Church.

The evaluation also found there were savings to government of approximately $32,000 per resident in the 12 months following admission to the home, compared to the 12-month period leading up to admission, for the 13 residents for whom there was full costs data. The most prominent source of savings was a reduction in in-patient admissions.

Lead researcher Professor Christopher Poulos noted that “achieving savings while maintaining quality of life (measured as QALYs, or quality adjusted life years) suggests that this type of care home, which is targeted at older people subject to homelessness, is cost-effective.”

While noting there were limitations to the study, the researchers concluded, “These preliminary positive outcomes add to the growing body of evidence that supports the need for dedicated services to care for the growing numbers of older people subject to homelessness.”

Image caption: HammondCare Darlinghurst.

Compared to younger people who are homeless, older homeless people are more likely to experience functional limitations, have chronic health conditions and few social interactions.

The residents in the study had an average age of 76 years and were most likely referred from hospital with the primary referral reason being high healthcare needs. More than a third had been homeless at some point with the remainder considered at risk of homelessness.

As well as improvements in wellbeing and quality of life, the evaluation, “An Australian aged care home for people subject to homelessness: health, wellbeing and cost benefit”, also found clinically significant improvements in scores for PTSD during the study period.

Researchers identified the supportive environment of the new aged care home with its trauma-informed approach as having led to “a positive impact on resident wellbeing, despite the compounding influence of a global pandemic”.

The building features private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Rooms are designed with a transition space before entering common areas to respect possible trauma and mistrust faced by people with a history of homelessness.

A multi-skilled, carer-led staffing model, supported by registered nurses and other healthcare professionals, fosters a relationship of trust with residents.

HammondCare Chief Executive Mike Baird said HammondCare Darlinghurst was making a profound difference to the lives of many people with complex physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.

“This research is a great endorsement of the commitment of HammondCare staff at Darlinghurst to supporting these vulnerable residents,” Baird said.

“With a growing aging population, there is an obvious need for more places like our Darlinghurst home that can provide dedicated services tailored to support the needs of older homeless people who have complex care needs.”

To access the full evaluation report, visit: https://rdcu.be/daZB.

Top image caption: HammondCare Darlinghurst resident Kenny with his much loved cat Willow.