Seniors in need, caregivers in distress:

46 Health Council of Canada
Extended Aged Care at Home Packages This
coordinated package of care is designed for care recipients
who are eligible for high-level residential care. The goal
is to deliver care at home that is equivalent to that received
at a residential care facility. In 2006, specific dementia
packages were added for people who exhibit challenging
behaviour and psychological symptoms associated with
dementia. Approval must be given by an Aged Care
Assessment Team before the coordinated package of care
91, 94
can be provided.
Day Therapy Centres Day Therapy Centres provide
a range of therapies such as physiotherapy, speech
therapy, and occupational therapy, aimed at helping older
people regain or retain the capacity needed
to remain in their own homes or in low-level residential
care. 91
Caregiver Support Caregivers in Australia have had
a government-funded program and financial support
options available to them over the past decade. The
National Respite for Carers Program allows caregivers
to take a much needed break from their roles. There
are two types of financial payments that Australian
caregivers may be able to access: 95
• A Carer Payment option may be available to those who
provide constant care in the home preventing them from
95, 96
working full time.
• Caregivers may also be eligible for the Carer Allowance,
which provides an income supplement. 95
Australia recently announced a National Carer Strategy
in August 2011, which adds the following financial
initiatives on top of the Carer Payment and Allowance
options already available (only those related to vulnerable
seniors will be discussed here):
• Caregivers who receive an income support payment
(other than Carer Payment) and Carer Allowance are now
entitled to a bereavement payment following the death
of the person for whom they are caring.
• The Carer Supplement initiative will affect caregivers whose
income support payment has been reduced to nil. They
now qualify for an annual Carer Supplement. 97
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW),
which provides health information and statistics, has played
a key role in improving the quality of data and information
collected and reported about home and community
care programs. The Institute works closely with all levels
of government to allow for national consistency and
comparability of data and reporting. 92
More information is available at agedcareaustralia.gov.au
IN SUMMARY
Home care needs to be viewed as a critical part of an
integrated health care system. Integration of a wide range
of services, particularly for seniors, can improve health
outcomes, reduce emergency department visits and
hospitalizations, and lower rates of placement in long-term
care homes. The practices profiled in this section provide
both ideas and strategies for governments and others
to consider.