An interactive social inclusion program for aged care facilities, which may ultimately benefit the hearing health of residents, has launched in Australia with a pilot program underway in Victoria.
The “Ciao!” Program, initiated by the National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA) in collaboration with Monash University, Peninsula Health, and Amplifon Foundation, will be piloted in six residential aged care homes across Melbourne.
More than 200,000 people live in one of over 2,600 residential aged care homes in Australia. A recent survey of more than 10,000 Australians from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that one of the biggest challenges facing residents is loneliness and social isolation, heightened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lack of social integration is a key factor in mortality and morbidity with recent studies showing this is the most important predictor of mortality behind the number two risk factor, lack of social support. Research also shows that wellbeing is crucial for good hearing outcomes and those with support have better results from hearing aids than those who are isolated and lack support.
“Ciao!” will provide residents with live interactive content such as chair-based yoga, virtual travel, therapeutic gardening, and following the journey of a guide dog puppy in training.
The program will also provide opportunities for residents to connect with residents of other aged care homes through video technology and live online interactive sessions to enhance the sense of community in the homes.
Professor Terry Haines, head of the School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University said the “Ciao!” Program aims to enrich the lives of those in residential aged care, addressing an overlooked need.
“Through the collaboration of the Amplifon Foundation and the National Centre for Healthy Ageing, we are introducing to Australia a model that has been successfully trialled overseas, bringing world-class research and initiatives to the Australian aged care sector,” he said.
According to NCHA director Professor Velandai Srikanth, residents can engage with the person delivering the virtual tour or speak with the person delivering the exercise program to seek clarification and ask questions.
“This is a great example of how our NCHA Living Labs program is working closely to improve the experience and wellbeing of those living in aged care,” he said.
“Through our partnership with Amplifon and the application of leading-edge technology, we are aiming to make a big difference in the lives of many.
“We know that loneliness in aged care centres is widespread, and so I’m excited to see the launch of this ‘Ciao!’ Program in Australia, and to view first-hand the impact, enjoyment and social inclusion possibilities it will have for those living in residential aged care.”
“Ciao!” was launched by Amplifon in Italy in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, to address the prolonged isolation experienced by aged-care residents and has supported residents in more than 230 nursing homes in Italy and Portugal.
Ms Maria Cristina Ferradini, Amplifon Foundation’s managing director said: “We started the “Ciao!” Program in Australia after our successful experience, first in Italy and then in Portugal. This initiative demonstrates how, thanks to the virtuous combination of new technologies and creativity, it’s possible to create new opportunities for relationships and social inclusion for older adults, especially those in nursing homes.”
