18-Oct-2011 It is daringly simple, but the goal of any care organisation should be human happiness, Dr Hans Becker, CEO of Humanitas Foundation recently told a Sydney audience.
Becker, the mind behind the 'apartments for life' concept, is widely regarded as a pioneer, having reinvented the model of aged care in the Netherlands by integrating adaptable housing and care.
At the core of his thinking is a commitment to protect human independence and to challenge the need for institutionalised care.
"The normal way of looking at care is financial and medical, but you also need to look at the sociological and psychological if you want to achieve human happiness," he said.
Becker's village-style apartments strive to create a community of connected individuals by promoting independence and participation. Accompanying Rotterdam's 20 apartment complexes are internet cafes, beauty salons, painting studios, fitness rooms, a supermarket and a children's zoo.
Becker said the pursuit of happiness not only supports a person's emotional wellbeing but also drives down the financial costs of providing care.
One of the driving forces behind the Humanitas philosophy is what he calls a 'yes culture', which encourages clients to be proactive.
It also challenges the risk-averse, "control-culture" pervading current models of care, as clients and families are empowered to be the source of new ideas in the delivery of services, he said.
A resident should be allowed to shower once every three weeks, eat baked beans every day, keep two cats or enjoy a daily visit to the restaurant bar, if it supports their wellbeing and self esteem, he told the seminar.
However, behind the slogans ('use it or lose it', 'a yes culture') is a serious attempt to unsettle traditional notions of delivering care.
Ultimately, Becker wants to dissolve the barriers between care and accommodation, between the community and elderly, between sick and healthy and between families and clients.
For example, to avoid the clustering of illness, one third of those living in Becker's 'age-proof' apartments do not have an assessed need for clinical services.
Forty per cent of apartments are also offered as social housing, 45 per cent as rental properties for seniors and 15 per cent are owner-occupied.
Becker told INsite he is overwhelmed by the willingness of Australians to engage with his philosophical approach to ageing and perceived within Australia a momentum for change.
"Compared to Europe and the rest of the world, I think Australia is more inclined to changing. Here, I see an opportunity for my philosophy to take ground," he said.
He is eager to continue watching developments down under and said it is no coincidence that his visit coincides with the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the aged care system.
"Dr Becker has the right idea, his concept of community is already happening in our better residential facilities, but generally not in enough. When moving into a residential facility that only comprises of bedrooms lounge room and dining room with nothing else to offer no wonder the residents feel they are locked away," said Jason Falinski, MD of CareWell Health
Barbara Squires, the Benevolent Society's general manager, ageing said the charity had searched the globe for innovations in aged care but was compelled by Becker's philosophy centred on a model of autonomy and independence.
"What blew me away was there was life in the place. I couldn't tell who was a resident, a visiting family member, staff or someone from the community," said Squires, who has made the journey to Rotterdam several times in the past 10 years to observe the original concept.
The Benevolent society is currently embarking on its own experiment with the 'apartments for life' concept in Sydney's Bondi.
Becker, the mind behind the 'apartments for life' concept, is widely regarded as a pioneer, having reinvented the model of aged care in the Netherlands by integrating adaptable housing and care.
At the core of his thinking is a commitment to protect human independence and to challenge the need for institutionalised care.
"The normal way of looking at care is financial and medical, but you also need to look at the sociological and psychological if you want to achieve human happiness," he said.
Becker's village-style apartments strive to create a community of connected individuals by promoting independence and participation. Accompanying Rotterdam's 20 apartment complexes are internet cafes, beauty salons, painting studios, fitness rooms, a supermarket and a children's zoo.
Becker said the pursuit of happiness not only supports a person's emotional wellbeing but also drives down the financial costs of providing care.
One of the driving forces behind the Humanitas philosophy is what he calls a 'yes culture', which encourages clients to be proactive.
It also challenges the risk-averse, "control-culture" pervading current models of care, as clients and families are empowered to be the source of new ideas in the delivery of services, he said.
A resident should be allowed to shower once every three weeks, eat baked beans every day, keep two cats or enjoy a daily visit to the restaurant bar, if it supports their wellbeing and self esteem, he told the seminar.
However, behind the slogans ('use it or lose it', 'a yes culture') is a serious attempt to unsettle traditional notions of delivering care.
Ultimately, Becker wants to dissolve the barriers between care and accommodation, between the community and elderly, between sick and healthy and between families and clients.
For example, to avoid the clustering of illness, one third of those living in Becker's 'age-proof' apartments do not have an assessed need for clinical services.
Forty per cent of apartments are also offered as social housing, 45 per cent as rental properties for seniors and 15 per cent are owner-occupied.
Becker told INsite he is overwhelmed by the willingness of Australians to engage with his philosophical approach to ageing and perceived within Australia a momentum for change.
"Compared to Europe and the rest of the world, I think Australia is more inclined to changing. Here, I see an opportunity for my philosophy to take ground," he said.
He is eager to continue watching developments down under and said it is no coincidence that his visit coincides with the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the aged care system.
"Dr Becker has the right idea, his concept of community is already happening in our better residential facilities, but generally not in enough. When moving into a residential facility that only comprises of bedrooms lounge room and dining room with nothing else to offer no wonder the residents feel they are locked away," said Jason Falinski, MD of CareWell Health
Barbara Squires, the Benevolent Society's general manager, ageing said the charity had searched the globe for innovations in aged care but was compelled by Becker's philosophy centred on a model of autonomy and independence.
"What blew me away was there was life in the place. I couldn't tell who was a resident, a visiting family member, staff or someone from the community," said Squires, who has made the journey to Rotterdam several times in the past 10 years to observe the original concept.
The Benevolent society is currently embarking on its own experiment with the 'apartments for life' concept in Sydney's Bondi.
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