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National launch event
The HEART Model, Framework, and Guidelines were launched nationwide on Thursday, 13 August 2026. Hosted by ARIIA (Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia), as part of ARIIA’s special event program series aimed to bring together networks from across the aged care sector to share how they’re working to improve the quality of aged care for all Australians.
The Final Draft of the HEART Model, Framework and Guidelines, a national practice resource designed to enhance wellbeing in residential aged care through holistic, person-centred spiritual care, was launched nationally in Canberra in August 2026.
Facilitated by Dr Becca Harding (ARIIA), and panel guests, Elizabeth Pringle (PHD Candidate and Researcher); Kathleen Davis (Aged Care Quality Comission) and Viv Allanson OAM (Consultant and Aged Care Thought Leader).
Paul Sadler (Chair of MAA Board); Elizabeth Pringle (CSU PHD Candidate); Rachael Wass (CEO of MAA)
The ARIIA Event panel: Elizabeth Pringle (CSU PHD Candidate & Author); Viv Allanson OAM (CEO of Gener8Care); Kathleen Davis (Aged Care Quality Commission)
Panel Facilitator: Dr Becca Hardy, (Senior Research Fellow, ARIIA)
Developed with the sector, for the sector, the resource was created by Charles Sturt University, School of Theology doctoral candidate Elizabeth Pringle and co-designed with government and regulatory agencies, aged care providers, consumer groups and unions, in collaboration with Meaningful Ageing Australia.
Supervised by Rev Professor Elizabeth MacKinlay AM and Adjunct Associate Professor Marguerite Bramble, the multi-disciplinary research draws on gerontology, nursing, theology, aged care policy, organisational change, knowledge translation and implementation science.
Theoretical & Regulatory Foundations
The HEART Model synthesises six theoretical foundations and the concepts of holistic care, person-centred care, spiritual care and wellbeing into a single practice resource. Fieldwork in aged care homes involved interviews, focus groups and co-design stakeholder workshops, with an international Delphi panel of experts validating the Model.
Aligned with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care, the HEART Model translates research into practice. It equips staff to improve their practice and guides organisations to implement the systems, processes, structures, culture and leadership required, in an economically sustainable way. A self-assessment tool enables services to identify gaps and prioritise improvements. A self-assessment tool enables services to identify gaps and prioritise improvements.
The Research
The underpinning doctoral research is multi-disciplinary, drawing on gerontology, nursing, theology, aged care policy, organisational change, knowledge translation and implementation science. It is supervised by Rev Professor Elizabeth MacKinlay AM and Adjunct Associate Professor Marguerite Bramble, both of whom bring extensive expertise in ageing, spiritual care and person-centred practice.
The HEART Model synthesises six theoretical foundations and the concepts of holistic care, person-centred care, spiritual care and wellbeing into a single practice resource. Fieldwork in aged care homes involved interviews, focus groups and co-design stakeholder workshops, with an international Delphi panel of experts validating the Model.
Link to the document: The HEART Model will be finalised following piloting and a national consultation process. A copy of the full document is available for view and download at https://meaningfulageing.org.au/heart-model/
Contact for media enquiries:
Rachael Wass, CEO of Meaningful Ageing Australia
E: rwass@meaningfulage.org.au M: 0481044467
The post The HEART Model appeared first on Meaningful Ageing Australia.
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