Otway Division of General Practice

Disclaimer

“Promoting Better Healthcare and Lifestyle"

Health Integration Team

Otway Division of General Practice

“Promoting Better Healthcare and Lifestyle"

Yes...we are a QIC Accredited Organisation!

The Aged Care Access Initiative program (ACAI) which has been managed by the Division since 2008 delivers Allied Health Clinical Care Services in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) within the Otway Division, where these services are not currently covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements such as residential aged care subsidies. Initially 4 dietetic services were contracted to work with 9 RACFs within the Division. The feedback from both the RACFs and the dietitians was very positive and we received many expressions of thanks for providing this service.

Comments from the RACFs included;

This program is very beneficial but requires more hours
The dietitian provided directions and ideas to increase both food and fluid intake for the residents and backed this up with printed information including recipes and ideas. Definitely a valuable resource.
Comprehensive care plans for each resident with full explanations of why choices were made. Excellent.
Obviously very grateful to receive access to this program but these services and many other Allied Health Services remain difficult to access particularly for high care residents who cannot travel for appointments.
The extra service provided to us was terrific and assisted greatly with the management of our residents needs.

ACAI - Program Update - June 2011

Health Integration Team Index

During 2009 ODGP were advised that ACAI would be funded for a further two years. Therefore it was time to investigate a different model of service delivery. A needs assessment and plan was completed which showed that the requirement for Allied Health services in Aged Care had not changed significantly. Two Dietitians and one Diabetes Educator were employed by the Division early in 2010 to work with both the ACAI and RPHS programs

The Melbourne Dietic Centre was contracted to run two projects, nutritional screening and diabetic assessment, with two facilities. These projects were run during March 2010. From the recommendations put forward by the Melbourne Dietetic Centre the ODGP Dietitians developed a project primarily targeting overweight aged care residents - the Healthy Lifestyle Program.

The dietitians are now working with participants from Gillin Park and Sunnyside House. Prior to the commencement of the project the participants all undertook a mental health self report questionnaire as a baseline measure of their overall well being. The program incorporates exercise and hydrotherapy sessions being held at St John of God Rehabilitation Centre.

Dietetic education sessions held by the ODGP Dietitians and a trip to a cafe for lunch to educate the participants in making healthier food choices when eating out with family or friends.

Some positive outcomes from the program include the following:

Improvement in joint pain and movement
Feelings of enjoyment and happiness
Good feeling to exercise muscles and gain strength
Improved general sense of well being
Improved agility
Increased activity – can walk longer distances
Weight loss
Improved BGL control, reduction in insulin requirements
Reduced neuropathic pain

The ACAI program funding will be continuing for the 2011 – 2012 financial year allowing the dietitians and Diabetes Educator to maintain their direct work with the Low Care residents at RACFs within the Division.