Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off your first 2 months of Unlimited Monthly. Start your subscription for just £29.99 £19.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

Why is this approach important?

Watch this video to learn about Deakin University's partnership approach to care from Associate Professor Helen Forbes.
5.7
Hi, I’m Associate Professor Helen Forbes. I’ve had vast experience in caring for older people. This experience includes nursing older people, teaching nurses how to care for older people and working in a research team where we’ve investigated issues relevant to the caring of older people. The partnership-centred approach is needed because it’s recognised that aged care is really complex, and that what is required– a new approach is to maximise the wellbeing and independence of older people in what’s turning out to be a rapidly changing healthcare environment. There’s been a shift in emphasis towards the person’s experience and the care relationships of those in residential aged care.
48.8
The partnership-centred approach is focused on the quality of care and the quality of interactions to create a positive environment for all partners. It enables the principles of care to be easily recognised, and works for all partners across the healthcare spectrum. It is a unique approach, giving our partners voice, and fosters communication between groups. This requires stakeholders to have an understanding of the approach, and a commitment to respect reciprocity and collaboration in the care of the older person.

Deakin University’s partnership-centred care approach has been developed to specifically address the needs and preferences of older people.

This approach was developed based on the recognition that providing appropriate and effective care for older people is a complex challenge that required new ways to apply best-practice principles, which maximise the wellbeing and independence of older people within a variety of care settings.

What are the features of this approach?

The key features of partnership-centred care include:

  • simple and easy-to-apply principles for each partner-in-care across the healthcare spectrum
  • a unique approach that gives all partners an equal voice to foster better communication between partners
  • practical steps that help ensure all partners are empowered and engaged from the very beginning of an older person’s care journey
  • a focus on the quality of care and partner interactions to help create a more positive experience for all partners
  • strategies to increases life satisfaction and assist older people to live fulfilling lives at whichever stage they are at.

Your task

Watch the video to learn more about partnership-centred care, how it works and what real-world benefits it provides.

When you’re done, add your thoughts about this approach in the comments. Also take a moment to reflect on other posts.

  • Do you agree with these? Why/why not?
  • What can you learn from other people’s stories or experiences?

Use like and reply to engage with the conversation.

This article is from the free online

Caring for Older People: a Partnership Model

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now