Federal aged care funding for Residential Aged Care focuses on direct primary care services from both General Practice and Allied Health. Traditionally, it has been difficult for Residents of Aged Care Facilities to access allied health services due to lack of funding and limited awareness of services. Establishing links between providers and residents and building sustainable processes will assist with overcoming these difficulties.
While limited short term funding is available through divisions of General Practice, the best possible care for patients and residents requires a more sustainable approach which is collaborative, systematic and takes advantage of Medicare items designed to encourage best practice for the care of all residents of aged care facilities.
Establishing a systematic Cycle of Care in which General Practice, Allied Health providers and RACF staff work collaboratively will take advantage of Medicare items designed to encourage best practice. Such a cycle of Care would provide Aged Care Facility Residents with access to five allied health services annually and dental services to the value of $4250 over two consecutive calendar years.
Possible Allied Health referrals include:
Speech pathology:
• Swallowing—Assessment and treatment
• Communication—Assessment and treatment
• Post Stroke Assessment
Dietetics:
• Regular weighs and BMI
• Assessment & management of food and special dietary needs
• Adequate nutrition if a feeding tube in place
• Adequate hydration and why.
Occupational Therapy:
• Splinting
• Mobility and personal care issues
• Equipment and adaptive devices
• Pressure care and positioning
• Dementia—functional assessment
Counselling
• Grief and Loss counseling
Psychology
• Dementia Testing
• Individual Therapy—major disorders/conditions eg grief and loss, anxiety, depression
Physiotherapy and/or Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation and Exercise related activities
Diabetes Education
• Education about diabetes and ongoing support
• Self Management Strategies
Podiatry
• Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disabilities and deformities of the foot and lower limb