During Seniors Week on March 7, these leaflets, “10 Questions to Ask” – essential questions you might like to know about aged care services, were launched by the NSW Midwives and Nurses Association, the Central Sydney GP Network and Carers NSW, who were some of the key organisations involved in the project. You can access these leaflets through 10questions.org.au and I commend them to you to share your friends and family.
These leaflets came about due to the need expressed to doctors and nurses from patients, their families and their carers about what to expect with the new changes to aged care. In fact, many doctors themselves are unaware of how these changes have affected their elderly patients faced with the prospect of considering the move into an aged care facilities.
In my own experience as a GP of over 30 years, I find that many elderly patients prefer to stay in their own homes for as long as is possible. There are many avenues for people to do this, however they will need to speak to their GPs and also to the Commonwealth central access point called My Aged Care – or call 1800 200 422.
The only problem with calling this line, or accessing this referral pathway online, is that your GP will not be contacted about the services that you have negotiated with this source. The ideal situation is if you, or your carer, look at this website, ring for information and discuss it with the referral source and when you have agreed on a service, let your doctor know.
However, if you wish, you can take this information to further discuss it with your GP. Your GP, who knows you well, will be able to assist you to negotiate the best options for you under your particular circumstances. But remember to request for a long, or even a prolonged consultation time, in your appointment with your GP as these matters may take some time to discuss. If you are unsure about what to do, it may take several appointments. Your GP can also refer you for an aged-care assessment that can be conducted in your own home environment with your family member present.
These assessments are not to be confused with the first steps to entry into a nursing home. Many elderly people are afraid that this assessment is the way of getting them to leave their home. Rather, it is a way to gather important information that can keep you safe in your own home, with the foresight for future events. If anything of a physical nature happens that means you will not be able to continue to live safely until you are better, there will be a respite facility that can take care of you on an interim basis. This information is also shared with a hospital, should you need hospital care.
Your GP or the aged care assessment can also connect you to rehabilitation services that are linked to different aged care hospital departments. These services are all designed, if you wish, to assist you to prevent falls, improve your nutrition, and to keep you safe whilst you are in your own home for as long as you are able. This may include modification of your home environment and provision of home services to help with shopping, meals or transport. Of course, there is a limit to these services but, again, some of them can be obtained from referrals to public services and some are also available via your private health insurance, if you do have this option available to you.
