What happens when communities are supported to become part of the care network around people living with advanced illness, caring or grieving?
In this article, Adam Woods explores the evidence behind compassionate communities, from the pioneering work in Frome in the UK to Professor Samar Aoun’s Compassionate Communities Connectors program in South West Western Australia.
The Australian research provides compelling evidence of what can happen when existing community networks are recognised and mobilised. Participants in the Connectors program experienced 63 per cent fewer hospital admissions, 77 per cent fewer days in hospital and 44 per cent fewer emergency department presentations compared with a matched control group.
Adam considers what these findings tell us about the role of community, the significant amount of care that happens outside formal health services, and why approaches that strengthen natural networks of family, friends, neighbours and community remain largely overlooked.
The article also explores a question central to the work of Compassionate Communities Australia: how can we better recognise and support the capacity that already exists within our communities?
Read Adam Woods’ full article, “The Best (& Cheapest) Thing We Refuse To Buy”, on Ageing Without Permission.