Spotlight Series
Community Home Australia: challenging norms
Two and a half years back, Rodney Jilek and Nicole Smith came together to establish Community Home Australia (CHA) in the response to distressing events witnessed during the COVID outbreak at a 160-bed facility in Melbourne.
Moved by this experience, Rodney and Nicole leveraged Rodney’s extensive 30-year background as an aged care consultant and Nicole’s expertise as a registered nurse and gerontologist to explore alternatives to conventional residential care. Their focus turned towards bridging the gap between aged care and disability services, with a particular emphasis on offering tailored accommodation for guests with early-onset dementia.
Challenging Norms
The Community Home approach differs from the institutional norm. In these ‘communities’, residents actively take part in decision-making, from choosing activities and meals to taking part in staff recruitment. ‘Kambera House’ in Gordon ACT marked the first step, providing permanent accommodation, planned respite, and overnight emergency care. Expanding their footprint, they’ve since opened two more residences, ‘Karingal House’ in Monash ACT and ‘Kookaburra House’ in Nelligen NSW. Rodney notes, “all three houses maintain a one-to-three staff ration, ensuring round-the-clock support tailored to each guest’s unique needs. They’re not just residents; they’re cherished individuals, and nurturing relationships is incredibly important.”
International Venture
Most recently, Community Home Australia has signed a joint venture agreement with their Indonesian counterpart with the establishment of PT CHA International Resorts. ‘Aashaya Jasri’ is a fully supportive resort in Karangasem on the east coast of Bali, offering people of any age with dementia and other neurocognitive conditions the chance to experience international travel. Craig Hooper, an experienced Registered Nurse, Paramedic and Healthcare manager, will head up the operational team at this Balinese resort with nine villas catering for up to 20 people. Rodney shares, “this option will represent a unique blend of holiday escape, carer respite and support service with Registered Nurses on hand to provide clinical and personal care, access to texture modified meals and drinks, and medical and allied health services.”
Their journey has been marked by more than just the expected challenges. Inclusivity is central, which is why CHA operates wheel-chair accessible buses, enhancing transportation accessibility for all. They’re committed to initiatives like aiding participants during hospital admissions, showing a dedication to better outcomes and ensuring a seamless journey for all involved.
‘House Companions’
Despite initial doubts and the absence of government funding or investors, the venture not only broke even in its first year but also turned a profit in the second. Financial sustainability became clear, enabling CHA to offer salaries surpassing industry standards and invest in staff development. Rodney notes, “the level of commitment is so high that staff willingly cover shifts when colleagues call in sick.” All staff are called ‘house companions’. They don’t wear uniforms, and there are no staff rooms or staff toilets; it’s a family-like approach to delivering care. They cook with the guests and eat with them. He adds, “we want people to continue to live their lives as they did before, with as much support as they need to do that.”
Giving back to the Community
The business story goes beyond profits and expenses; focusing on giving back to the community. CHA supports charitable causes, sponsors research, provides scholarships, and contributes to initiatives like Ronald McDonald House and homeless support programs. Collaborations with the University of Canberra and partnerships with various organisations underscore their commitment to innovation.
“We prioritise participants’ needs over financial constraints,” Rodney emphasises. Initiatives like practical programs at the Canberra Hospital’s geriatric unit and the development of their own care management system reflect their dedication to continuous enhancement and transparency.
CHA Model
Rodney envisions extending their impact beyond immediate services. CHA supports others interested in adopting their model, offering guidance, sharing insights, and potentially exploring franchising opportunities. Rodney is eager to impact his knowledge of person-centred care, flexibility, transparency, while challenging the minimum standards established by the aged care sector.
Community Home Australia (CHA)
W: https://communityhomeaustralia.org/
P: 1800 273 006
E: admin@communityhomeaustralia.org
