RESIDENTS in the Far North will benefit from an innovative new approach in flexible aged care that will help older residents remain in their own homes for longer.
The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP, has today joined with Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch to welcome the 12 Short-Term Restorative Care places allocated to this region.
These new places are part of an initial national allocation of 475 places, worth up to $34.7 million per year, as part of the 2016−17 Aged Care Approvals Round.
“Short-Term Restorative Care increases the care options available in circumstances, for example, where older people would benefit from targeted assistance to recover from a short-term incapacity or injury,” Minister Wyatt said.
“It aims to slow functional decline in older people and improve their health and wellbeing, so they can remain independent for as long as possible and avoid prematurely entering permanent residential aged care.
“The successful provider, Integratedliving Australia Ltd, will work directly with older people in Leichhardt and provide them with multi-disciplinary care packages of up to eight weeks each to help them get back on their feet and improve their quality of life.”
Mr Entsch has welcomed the Short-Term Restorative Care place allocation in the Far North.
“There is a growing demand for flexible aged care services in the region. This new program will help to make sure our older residents receive the responsive, quality care they deserve,” Mr Entsch said.
“It means that if an older person suffers a fall at home and is approved for Short-Term Restorative Care, their care provider could arrange for physiotherapy with the support of the person’s doctor and other allied health professionals, and an assessment of their home to identify potential hazards.”
Mr Entsch said that the eight-week time duration of each package under the program means that up to 78 older people in Leichhardt will potentially access this program during the 12 month duration.
“That will increase as more places become available over the next five years,” he said.
“Older Australians want and need flexible services that will help them when they need it, and encourage independence for as long as possible, and these places will help people age well and access care on an ‘as-needs’ basis.”
Additional residential aged care places and the capital grant components of the 2016–17 Aged Care Approvals Round will be announced at a later date.
More information about the results of the 2016 Aged Care Approvals Round is available at https://agedcare.health.gov.au/2016-17ACAR