Improving the health and wellbeing of our aging population is one of our key priority areas. Our aim is to support and coordinate services for older people living in the community and those living in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH).
Key Areas and Current Programs
As part of the Western Sydney Integrated Senior’s Health (WISH) committee, we are working in partnership with the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) to reduce health gaps within the Aged Care space. To achieve this, we are currently focussing on the following priority areas:
- Identifying at-risk older persons in the region
- Improving management of dementia, including patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
- Supporting GPs to identify at-risk older persons
- Improving medication use in the community and RACHs
- Reducing preventable hospitalisations
- Improving integrated care
- Increase GPs capacity and capability to support end of life planning
- Address appropriately skilled workforce shortage issues
- Support improved integration and coordination of palliative care and end of life planning services and health care
Dementia
Dementia is a term that covers a range of conditions related to gradual brain function impairment and is commonly associated with memory loss. It is estimated that 12,788 people are living with dementia in Western Sydney. This is projected to increase by more than 200% by 2050.
Informed by the work undertaken by South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Dementia Australia, we have developed a Western Sydney Dementia Handbook, to assist you and your loved ones in accessing the support you need from the time of diagnosis and beyond.
The Dementia Care Navigator Program supports people living with Dementia, their families and carers, to navigate the health and aged care service sectors and connect with services most suitable for their circumstances. Contact Dementia Australia for more information regarding the program.
Falls Prevention
Falls among older people continue to be a public health concern, and injuries from falls can lead to functional decline. Older Australians are at an increased risk of falls, which increases the risk of osteoporosis, and bone and joint pain. Consultations with ambulance services in our region have highlighted falls among older people as a major issue. In 2016-17, a total of 3,635 people over the age of 65 years were hospitalised for fall-related injuries.
Undertaking ACP means that the future decisions about a person’s care are more likely to reflect their wishes. ACP identifies sensitive issues and clarifies the actions an individual would prefer in certain medical situations should they occur in the future. For many reasons these topics of discussion between family, carers and GPs are often avoided.
Mobile Imaging Services
Free mobile imaging services are available to Western Sydney residents thanks to a partnership with Mobile Radiology Australia (MRA). MRA aims to reduce the number of patients presenting to hospitals by offering mobile diagnostic services available from the comfort of their own homes.
Palliative Care and End of Life Planning
Ensuring that every person receives quality end of life care, including specialist palliative care where required, as they approach the end of their life remains one of the major challenges to health systems in developed nations around the world. Find out more on our Palliative Care webpage.
We have developed Palliative Care Handbooks as part of our End of Life and Palliative Care Program to assist you and your loved ones in accessing the support needed from diagnosis through to the end-of-life period and beyond.
Healthy Western Sydney
Healthy Western Sydney is a free service directory for community members and health professionals in Western Sydney offering information on palliative care, aged care and dementia services in Western Sydney.
Visit Healthy Western Sydney to access free health services.
Care Finder
There are many aged care services available to older Australians, however it may be difficult for some people to access the right services. Intensive care can be accessed by older people who are a part of the vulnerable population, such as those experiencing disability or who are at risk of homelessness.
The Care Finder program is a free service that provides specialist support for older people living in a vulnerable situation. Through Care Finder, clients will have their needs assessed and be connected with a care finder who can assist them in engaging with appropriate aged care and community services.
Find out more on our Care Finder webpage.
Live Younger Longer
Live Young Longer is run by Live Life Get Active (LLGA) and has been developed to help people, as they get older, to live fitter, healthier and happier lives.
The programme has been designed to have two sessions that are delivered face-to-face. This is the introduction Session in week one and the graduation session in week seven. Then there are live Zoom sessions for weeks two, three, four, five and six. You can view these at home or you can view them in a communal setting with other people.
WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, is proud to be a partner of LLGA.
This program is free of charge for all eligible and registered participants. Registrations can be made on the Live Life Get Active website. For more information read the FAQs.
Still Standing
Still Standing is a light exercise program to help reduce the risk of falling over and associated hospitalisation. It is suitable for those using walking aids and participants will be given access to an individualised plan with home based activities. Find out more on the website.
Progressing Health Now
Find out more about our other Services and Programs available for Western Sydney community members.
