An opportunity for the new Aged Care Reform
My latest Health and Wellness column in the summer 2024 edition of Aged Care today, the official magazine of Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), is all about reablement.
During the ACCPA 2024 national conference I sat down with and old friend and a passionate advocate for allied health services in all areas of aged care, Dr Tim Henwood, an exercise physiologist and principal consultant at AgeFIT Solutions. Over the years we have had many discussions about the successful models, as well as the issues relating to the lack of support for allied health.
Despite all the research findings, and evidence supporting best practice principles, allied health has not been receiving the support it requires. “Aged care providers continue to facilitate low participation, prioritising care (domestic and personal) over allied health, which means wellbeing and independence tend to decline.”
In September 2024, Australian government released information about further aged care reform with a focus on the new Support at Home program, helping people to retain their independence and remain in their homes as they age, with an investment of $5.6 billion in a reform package with three items or funding: ‘clinical care’ ,‘independence’ and ‘everyday living’, specifically mentioning allied health services.
The new act was passed in senate, and we can be hopeful for the change in the new year.
It is time to allied health and exercise therapies to shine, and claim the position they deserve as these services are the only effective countermeasures to physical decline and loss of independence. “When delivered under an evidence-based framework, a multidisciplinary allied health approach can not only restore a client to functional independence, but can reduce health service utilisation, social disengagement and mental health decline.” Tim states in the column.
“With the strengthening of the Aged Care Quality Standards to reinforce the importance of consumer independence, reablement, physical and mental wellbeing, and evidence-based practice, all providers must adopt allied health and therapy models of care”.
You can read the full article here.
While the long awaited change is approaching, we are both excited to be part of the inaugural Positive Ageing Summit to run in Adelaide, in May 2025.
The Positive Ageing Summit 2025 will gather together clinicians, caregivers, policy influencers, and aged care providers, to Explore a holistic approach to better, positive ageing.
The summit has four focus points – reablement, mental health, nutrition, and advancements in business practices, delivered via keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive workshops, offering an essential platform for professionals dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of older Australians.
This event promises to deliver a full package of information that will assist everyone to thrive under the new funding guidelines, giving every consumer a chance to quality of life at home.
The Summit will soon start announcing the list of speakers, but the event has already gained attention. You can find more information about this event, including a registration link via this link.
Positive Ageing has a nice ring to it, I think that we might need to make that the motto of 2025! It already promises to be a good year.
Best Wishes,
Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman
Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSAM), PhD (Biomechanics)
Research Lead, Area Account Manager (Vic, Tas, SA, NT)
