TOP5 in residential care

Residential aged care is a familiar environment for many people, but changes in routine, staff or surroundings can still cause confusion, distress or anxiety. TOP5 helps staff understand what matters to the person by capturing practical strategies shared by carers.

These insights support care that is safe, respectful and reflects the person’s needs and preferences.

Why TOP5 is helpful in residential care

TOP5 helps staff:

  • understand how best to communicate with the person
  • recognise triggers that may cause distress
  • respond consistently across different shifts
  • support smoother transitions, including respite or permanent admission
  • provide care that aligns with what matters to the person

Carers often know the person’s routines, preferences and early warning signs. TOP5 ensures this knowledge is shared with staff so everyone can provide care in a way that works best for the person.

What to include in a residential care TOP5

A TOP5 list may include:

  • communication cues
  • routines that help the person feel settled
  • sensory preferences (noise, lighting, touch)
  • strategies that reduce distress or confusion
  • mobility or safety considerations
  • comfort measures that help the person relax
  • cultural or spiritual needs

Examples:

  • “I prefer to start my day slowly and need extra time before breakfast.”
  • “I become unsettled when rushed.”
  • “I respond well when staff explain each step of personal care.”
  • “I prefer quiet spaces during busy times.”
  • “I enjoy familiar music when I feel anxious.”

How staff use TOP5 in residential care

TOP5 can be used:

  • during admission or respite stays
  • at handover between shifts
  • when behaviours change or the person becomes unsettled
  • when introducing new routines or activities
  • to support consistent care across the team

TOP5 is displayed where staff can easily see it, helping everyone respond in a consistent and supportive way.

Working together

Carers and staff create TOP5 together. Carers share what works well at home or in familiar environments, and staff add observations from the residential care setting. This shared approach helps the person feel understood and supported throughout their stay.

TOP5 can be updated at any time if the person’s needs or preferences change.

Back To Top