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Australian National Aged Care Classification behaviour assessment and people living with dementia in residential aged care : Inclusive language for reform?
Wesson, Jacqueline du Toit, Sanetta Henrietta Johanna Wales, Kylie Gresham, Meredith Flavin, Theresa Brodaty, Henry
Wesson, Jacqueline
du Toit, Sanetta Henrietta Johanna
Wales, Kylie
Gresham, Meredith
Flavin, Theresa
Brodaty, Henry
Abstract
Objective
To examine the language of the behaviour assessment in the new Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding instrument. We explored whether the (BRUA) will support an inclusive and progressive approach for people living with dementia in residential aged care.
Methods
Databases were searched to identify publicly available literature relating to the development of the AN-ACC and BRUA, and hand searches of reference lists and selected websites were completed to identify additional grey literature, dementia language and best practice guidelines. Criteria for language use were extracted and compared with the BRUA in the light of the current national aged care reform agenda, as well as research with and perspectives of people with lived experience of dementia.
Results
The language within the BRUA did not align with international dementia language guidelines, and the content presented was disrespectful to those with lived experience. The assessment appears inconsistent with international best practices and is potentially discriminatory within the aged care cohort.
Conclusions
The BRUA is intended as a funding instrument and not as a care planning tool, yet the negative representation of the lived experience of people with dementia embedded within a mandated assessment is likely to influence industry practice by condoning unsuitable language and attitudes amongst assessors, providers and staff. For better alignment with the current positive agenda for aged care reform in Australia, we recommend continued review and updating of this tool to avoid unintended consequences.
Keywords
Australia, aged care reform, behaviour assessment, dementia, homes for the aged, language, residential facilities
Date
2023
Type
Journal article
Journal
Australasian Journal on Ageing
Book
Volume
42
Issue
1
Page Range
234-240
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access
Open
Notes
© 2022 The Authors. Australasian Journal on Ageing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AJA Inc’.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.