Lee-Fay Low1, Henry Brodaty. 1. Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales. lf.low@unsw.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasingly aged care services are shifting from residential to community care. As a result, systems of access to services for older persons in Australia have become more complex. It is important for general practitioners to know how to navigate these systems. OBJECTIVE: To provide a practical guide for the GP on available aged care community services; how to refer to them, how to recognise their limitations, and how to build partnerships to improve care. DISCUSSION: There is a range of affordable community services for older Australians. However, the system has limitations including long waiting lists in some areas and lack of continuity of care. Improvement of communication between medical practitioners and community services is required.
BACKGROUND: Increasingly aged care services are shifting from residential to community care. As a result, systems of access to services for older persons in Australia have become more complex. It is important for general practitioners to know how to navigate these systems. OBJECTIVE: To provide a practical guide for the GP on available aged care community services; how to refer to them, how to recognise their limitations, and how to build partnerships to improve care. DISCUSSION: There is a range of affordable community services for older Australians. However, the system has limitations including long waiting lists in some areas and lack of continuity of care. Improvement of communication between medical practitioners and community services is required.