Supporting seniors to stay at home

DO you or someone you know need some support to continue living comfortably at home while also maintaining independence?

Then let us help. Swan Hill District Health has offered a range of services from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme for a number of years now, but due to recent changes will be offering even more starting from June 1.

CHSP helps senior Australians to access entry-level support services enabling them to live at home independently and safely.

CHSP services are for people who are 65 years of age or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples), are living at home, are having difficulties with their everyday activities and have an aged-care assessment referral.

All services are guided by the client’s choices and goals with the aim of increasing or maintaining their physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

The staff work with the client to maintain their independence and can assist with the following services;

• Personal care: Providing people with support in regard to their daily living and helping them to care for themselves and manage their own medicine. The District Nursing team provides this service. Call 5033 9375.

• District Nursing Services: The district nursing team offers expert in-home nursing care seven days a week, working from 8am to 8pm.

They provide an extensive range of nursing activities to support independence and wellbeing.

This includes clinical care of wounds for simple to complex dressings and comprehensive health assessments, Hospital in the Home (HITH) for hospital-type care in the home, continence assessment and management, stomal therapy education, medication prompting, and care and assistance with chronic disease management such as diabetes support with blood sugar monitoring and management. Call 5033 9375.

• Social support groups: Social support groups provide social and recreational support for frail/disabled adults living alone or with carers in the community. The level of need support is identified, as well as interests relevant to their participation. An assessment also enables the service to identify other health, psychosocial and environmental issues requiring follow-up and/or referral links to be made. Social support activities and planned activity group programs are conducted at Swan Hill Neighbourhood House, 98-100 Gray Street, Swan Hill. Call 5033 9359.

• Flexible respite: Through the CHSP, the team is able to assist in maintaining the care relationships between carers and clients by providing good-quality respite care so that carers can take a break. Call 5033 9375.

• Allied Health professionals:This team assesses nutritional status and provides food and nutrition information to improve health and wellbeing. Call 5033 9337.

• Occupational therapists: These assist with the activities of daily living, general functioning, community mobility, aids and equipment, and home safety in order to improve and maintain a client’s independent living. Call 5033 9321.

• Podiatrists: Provide care of foot and leg conditions through prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Call 5033 9390.

• Physiotherapists: Provide assessment, manual therapies, exercise programs and other techniques to treat a range of physical conditions to increase mobility and physical functioning. Call 5033 9390.

• Speech pathologists: Provide assessment and management of communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Call 5033 9390.

Goal-directed care plans

During the initial consultation, health professionals will listen and explore:

– What the client can do for him or herself

– What they need help with to stay safe and well at home

– What they want to be able to do or keep doing.

After discussion, the team will develop a plan together with the client.

This will list the client’s goals (what you want to achieve) and detail what they will do to support them to remain living at home and within their community.

They will also help with referrals to other agencies or programs as required.

Plans will vary depending on each individual.

The team will regularly review the plan with the client, working in partnership with other people who support them such as family, friends, local community groups, GPs and other health professionals.

The aim is to provide people with connected care and the best experience possible.

How to access CHSP

To find out more information about how to access these services through the CHSP at SHDH, directly contact a service using the contact numbers above.

The team will be able to provide a reference to another department if necessary.