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
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
There’s a new General Practice in Aged Care Incentive that helps GPs and their practices provide more proactive, planned, and coordinated care for residents in aged care homes. If you’d like more information about how this works, including eligibility and service details, you can visit our MyMedicare and General Practice in Aged Care Incentive webpage
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.
We have also developed the Face Dementia Western Sydney GP Resource Pack alongside Deakin University and The University of Sydney. This resource is designed to help GPs, practice nurses and their teams enhance the identification, assessment and management of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in primary care.
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.
Support for Residents of Aged Care Homes
We commission Anglicare’s Emotional Wellbeing for Older Persons (EWOP) program that supports older people residing in residential aged care homes with low to moderate mental health needs. There is a clinical intake service and psychological interventions available, ranging from psychoeducation and leisure activities to more structured psychological therapy sessions.
The EWOP program also provides free education and training for residential aged care staff to help foster emotionally aware environments for residents, visitors and workers.
To refer a resident, please complete the EWOP program referral form. For more information, please contact Anglicare at wsphnmhracs@anglicare.org.au
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.
MRA offers x-ray and ultrasound imaging, reading and reporting services and can receive referrals from local GPs, PCMHs, RACFs and Hospital in the Home (HITH) services. To refer a patient, please send a completed and signed MRA referral form to requests@mraus.net.au
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.
Resources and Links
Western Sydney HealthPathways
Western Sydney health professionals can access Older Person’s Health on the Western Sydney HealthPathways website. To gain access to contact HealthPathways at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au or call 8811 7100.
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.
Other Resources
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 Life Get Active Fitness Camps
To enhance access to exercise within the Western Sydney community and address prevalent issues like low physical activity and high obesity rates, we’ve collaborated with Live Life Get Active (LLGA) to offer free fitness camps and exercise classes in the region. These 45-minute sessions include yoga, boxing, and cross-training, catering to various fitness levels.
Fitness Camps and Online Classes
LLGA provides both face-to-face fitness camps and online exercise classes. In-person sessions are conducted at multiple locations across Western Sydney, while online classes are available as daily live streams and on-demand videos. Participants can also access resources on nutrition and wellness through the LLGA website. All offerings are free of charge.
Social Prescribing for Health Professionals
Social prescribing enables health professionals to refer individuals to non-clinical services that support overall well-being. To refer patients to LLGA’s programs, please visit the LLGA website for more information.
For further details and to register for classes, visit the LLGA website.
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 other Programs and Priorities for Western Sydney.
