Alison Delphin Occupational Therapist Aged Care  Ph: 02 6049 1900 Email: adelphin@bordergp.org.au

What is the Aged Care Access Initiative Program?

The Program was introduced on 1 July 2008 to support improving access to Primary Care (GP and Allied Health Services) for residents of Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) and to provide clinical care by Allied Health Professionals in RACFs on an individual or a group basis, where these services are not currently covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements.

Meeting the needs of the rural locations is of prime importance in this Program.

What does the Aged Care Access Initiative Program do?

• Ensures availability of needed services to all residents eligible for allied health services
• Provides education programs to facilities within RRMA 4-7 areas specifically dietetic services covering menu preparation and implementation and lifestyle recommendations for diabetic residents
• Provides transition to care support to residents new to residential aged care facilities and non-pharmacological and sensory based interventions to improve the quality of life of persons with dementia, by a Mental Health Trained Occupational Therapist
• Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy services
• Speech Pathology services to individual residents with speech and swallowing difficulties

How can the Aged Care Access Initiative Program help you?

By delivery of services to RACFS which includes:

• For residents receiving low level care, general allied health services on an individual basis or in a group setting
• For residents receiving high level care, rehabilitation following an illness or acute episode
• For residents with chronic diseases
• Working within facilities to educate staff on recommended dietary intake and menu guidance, implementation and provision of appropriate food for residents
• For the Aged Psychiatry services (OT/Mental Health credentialed):
  • Direct face-to-face resident functional assessments
  • Planned therapeutic interventions
  • Contribution to care planning
  • Education to residents, staff and other carers 

What has the Aged Care Access Initiative Program achieved?

• Improved health outcomes for residents of RACFs
• Improved understanding of behavioural disturbances in residents by staff of RACFs
• Delivery of allied health services to residents of rural facilities which are disadvantaged with access to these professional services because of time and travel difficulties