EDuCARE Support Service

Hunter New England Area Health Service

Carer Facilitator Education and Training Program

The EDuCARE Support Service works in active partnership with families, health professionals, service providers and the wider community to achieve an improvement in the health and wellbeing of carers.

It is focused on targeted group development working in partnership with other organisations and communities including diverse cultures, rural and remote communities.

EDuCARE provides carer education programs and workshops throughout the year and cover a variety of topics including stress management, practical skills for carers, community resources, legal and financial issues and emotional aspects of caring.

Goals

Goal 1: To improve the health and wellbeing of all carers through education and support strategies.

Goal 2: To assist the acute hospital sector in meeting the needs of carers through education, training and support strategies and mechanisms

Education

5 sessions of general issues common to all carers:

Welcome & introduction/carer’s perspective
Community resources and financial issues
Legal
Theory and management o stress
Groups reunite

1 sessions of specialist training

Expert involvement covering medical conditions for the person being cared for:

Stroke
Dementia
Brain injury
Parkinson
Young people with a disability
Frail aged

The education program is always evolving due to consultation and evaluation of the process with carers.

Evidence of Success

Reported Improvement by Carers post program

90% of participants completed the education program
89% reported an improvement in their health and wellbeing
79% stated they were sleeping better
82% stated they were more responsive in receiving respite and community services
93% stated they were more confident in taking their loved one home
97% now felt confident of who to call in times of an emergency

Opportunities for Improvement

This solution addresses the following Dimension of Care, and Measure identified in the NSW Patient Survey, and the Patient and Carer Experiences.

Dimensions

Measures

For more information

EDuCARE Support Service on 02 4921 4895

Hunter New England Area Health Service, EDuCARE Support Service website
http://www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/educare_support_service

We want to hear about your solutions. Download the Solutions template to add your solution to our collection (52 KB).

The NSW Health Patient and Carer Experience team would like to add your answer to improving patient care to their collection of solutions. Contact ARCHI to find out more.