<p><span style="color: #808080;"><em><img src="assets/images/site/grandmum_and_girl_with_cake.jpg" alt="" width="685" height="457" /></em></span></p> <p><em><span style="color: #808080; background-color: #ffffff;">Sponsored Content</span></em></p> <p><strong>Moving into a care home is a significant life change for both the person concerned and their family.</strong></p> <p><strong>Recognising this, Metlifecare has been on a more-than-three-year journey to develop a new philosophy of care for its aged-care homes that included partnering with Massey University.</strong></p> <p>Now the findings from the partnership have been incorporated into the design of Metlifecare’s new Somervale care home, opening in Mount Manganui later this year.</p> <p>The retirement village and residential care company believes its new model of aged-care will help residents have the best quality of life possible.</p> <p>Adopting a more holistic approach, Metlifecare’s new philosophy focuses not only on a person’s physical health but their psychological, social and emotional wellbeing also.</p> <p>The new care philosophy was developed following a 2015 pilot scheme study at Metlifecare’s Crestwood Village.</p> <p>The study, led by Dr Polly Yeung of Massey University’s School of Social Work, measured the outcomes of the pilot scheme against another care home using a more traditional model, and was published on March 27.</p> <p>Polly found an increased level of satisfaction from care home residents using the new approach particularly around being treated with respect and quality of life.</p> <p>“More than 93 per cent of residents felt satisfied with their quality of life under the new philosophy compared to 60 per cent of residents living in a care home that used the standard model,” says Polly.</p> <p>“Residents also felt more respected. Metlifecare’s pilot programme showed that they could successfully achieve better outcomes for residents and change the way people perceive life in a care home.”</p> <p>Residents live in smaller groups of no more than 12 care suites, with each group having their own kitchen, dining room and lounge area.</p> <p>This modern home environment allows residents to spend time with family in the care home, and greater autonomy over their lives.</p> <p>“Our new model is much more than just bricks and mortar. It covers everything from providing welcoming environments people can call home to having individualised care the way they want it,” says Metlifecare’s CEO Glen Sowry.</p> <p>“We are focused on deinstitutionalising care, empowering people to influence how they live when in our care homes, just as they can in our retirement villages. We believe we are tackling the issues people fear most when they make this transition.”</p> <p>Somervale will open a 69-resident care home made up of six households, replacing the existing care home.</p> <p>Sixteen new serviced apartments will also be available providing residents the benefits of both independent living and some level of home support.</p> <p>To make an enquiry about Somervale Retirement Village’s serviced apartments and care facilities, call: 07 572 9020</p> <p>Visit: <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.metlifecare.co.nz_our-2Dretirement-2Dvillages_bay-2Dof-2Dplenty_somervale&d=DwMGaQ&c=63k7DFQ5NS45K8Wu5uX9Pd1gEa70c_pznLjIw3OxEiE&r=aMq8aThgtiOq7_khfu6DrqU9xwen9KAF1alo3-g1kVc&m=i9_bl3h7mWX0yK7iDdRDIvPGksKucwZ8TZfzg8SSUxk&s=vhf6gAtpZwhL4JfhteYFpXgsegwb3tWnOqoL_FKQueA&e=">https://www.metlifecare.co.nz/our-retirement-villages/bay-of-plenty/somervale</a></p>