AGED CARE 2008 “Optimising Knowledge Transfer through effective Management Systems” Specialised Care Needs Removing Road Blocks Rhylle Polke, Speech Pathologist

Allied Health interventions can improve quality of life by promoting physical and psychosocial function, independence, and connection with the community. People experience a sense of loss when dealing with failing abilities and the ending of a long- established way of life, e.g. dementia and stroke have the potential to destroy a person’s ability to communicate and enjoy ‘social being’.

The role of Speech Pathology in Aged Care Communication - Speech, Voice and Language - Facilitating communication through the use of alternative systems and training communication partners – family, care staff, community members. - Dementia – how to promote successful interactions thereby promoting self esteem and connection with the world.

Eating and swallowing function - safe swallowing - enjoyment of food - good nutrition and health - independence in feeding oneself - dignity - choice

Removing road blocks Promotion of the understanding of what individual Allied Health Professions can offer Interaction between AHPs in managing complex cases – complementary therapy roles,e.g. motor neurone disease, CVA or palliative care - physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dietetics, music therapy, social work, psychology

Timeliness of referrals for assessment – of new residents in RACFs, or on return from acute episode in hospital Involvement of the individual and family/carers in planning care – information given to help make informed decisions (cultural needs, appropriateness of interventions) Management plan involving all service providers – G.P., nursing, food services, allied health – Case Conferences, Team approach

Best Practice - Use of Guidelines Dysphagia management Dementia care – Alzheimer’s Australia,2007, Quality Dementia Care Standards Guidelines for Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care Spaced Retrieval Training – (Myers Research Institute, Beachwood, Ohio) training in procedural memory to assist people to function safely and independently Need funding assistance to train staff and carers in these approaches in RACFs and community settings

Funding arrangements Tight budgets for care services especially RACFs make it difficult for them to utilise Allied Health services to benefit their clients Eligibility criteria for funding agencies don’t always synchronise – some people ‘fall through the gaps’ and are unable to access services Some Allied Health services not recognised by funding bodies, eg. Music Therapy Palliative care - limited funding for Allied Health involvement - need for a palliative approach for many in residential care but difficulty in accessing funding because the/ current time frame for palliative care precludes residents with longer term needs

Streamlined Auditing requirements An agency using several funding sources e.g. DTC, HACC, DVA, TRANSITION CARE, DSQ, ACFI, is audited by all agencies taking valuable time and resources away from service provision.