Innovative interprofessional care model for workplace learning in elderly care

How can we make working in residential care centres more appealing? This project co-creates an innovative care model for workplace learning in elderly care.

In short
In collaboration with the Academic Workplace for Elderly Care and Tandem (University Hospital Ghent), Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is developing a new care model for workplace learning in residential care centres. Through co-creation, the project identifies key conditions and components to make workplace learning more attractive and effective for students and care teams.

Need and relevance
Too few students are choosing a career in elderly care. Negative perceptions, limited resources, and understaffing contribute to this issue. Meanwhile, the ageing population is increasing the demand for qualified care professionals. There is a clear need to revalue the sector and to introduce innovative ways of learning and collaboration.

From approach to impact
Using the principles of action research, with co-creation at its core, the project began by analysing the needs of the target group. Next, the team collaborated with care professionals and educational institutions to co-create an innovative care model. The model fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, empowers care workers as learning facilitators, and strengthens the link between education and practice. The outcome is a ready-to-pilot concept designed for implementation in residential care centres.