Mrs Annie Peterson, Lutheran Services
Ms Claire Pearson, Lutheran Services
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The aged care sector faces a critical challenge: how to design and sustain a creative care culture that embeds meaningful, therapeutic engagement into everyday care in a workforce-led, scalable way responsive to older people's needs—particularly in services with limited access to external specialists. Lutheran Services' Singing for Wellness initiative demonstrates how this approach shifts creative engagement from stand-alone activity to core care delivery. Rather than relying on visiting artists or time-limited programs, the model builds creative capability within existing Lifestyle teams, enabling consistent, relationship-based engagement by trusted staff embedded in daily care. The initiative focuses on workforce capability and systems change, equipping non-arts professionals with structured training to deliver evidence-based singing sessions supporting cognitive, psychosocial, motor, and behavioural wellbeing. A flexible five-point session framework enables staff to adapt engagement across varying cognitive abilities, cultural contexts, and care environments. Training is supported by hands-on modelling, practical resources, and ongoing professional support, enabling consistent implementation across multiple sites, including regional services. Early outcomes indicate improved staff confidence, stronger cross-team collaboration, and increased capacity to tailor engagement for people living with dementia. Staff report enhanced job satisfaction from delivering meaningful, purpose-driven care. This workforce-led approach aligns with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, supporting dignity and choice, continuity of care, and workforce capability. By intentionally designing a creative care culture, this model demonstrates how services can embed creativity into everyday practice, strengthen care systems, and improve quality-of-life outcomes for older people.
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