IN our final article of the year, I think it’s a good time to reflect on the reality of the current experience of aged care and the exciting future of nurse management of aged care in General Practice.
As far back as the late 2000s, it was suggested that demographics of society would create a Tsunami of the Elderly, with the baby boomers being aged over 65 from 2011. Time and time again, it was suggested we prepare for this explosion of people requiring aged care services. However, we have fallen well short. As I describe it now, the tsunami has well and truly hit the beach, is up into the trees and heading for the hills.
The impact of this is that today, we are faced with dramatic shortages in the availability of beds in aged care, particularly respite, which is often very urgently needed by our carers, limited resources for home care provision and long waiting times for assessment for all these services.
When I started in this position 18 months ago, there was a waiting time of approximately 2-6 weeks for Aged Care Assessment; it has now blown out to 16 weeks. The flow-on effect of this are incredibly burdened carers and an overwhelmed acute health system as they struggle with providing support and care to those unable to have their needs met by aged care services, and broadly speaking, the response to put the onus back on this already incredibly stressed cohort to manage their own care.
However, there is a good news story amid this dilemma; some help is on its way.
Fortunately, it has been recognised that the program that I have been involved with at Wyndham House has been effective in assisting our patients, their families/ carers experiencing ageing here in Shepparton. Our service has lightened the load for stakeholders – patients, GPs, aged care facilities, and other associated services – providing a continuum of care on the journey, as well as resources and support.
With the assistance of funding through the Murray Primary Healthcare Network and the Department of Health and Aged Care, we are not only able to continue our work but also grow and develop our program even further.
Having worked with external consultants, we will formalise and standardise our practices. Employing a further experienced aged care nurse and administration support will allow me to devote time to developing stronger structured relationships with aged care facilities and other services, sharing information and resources to strengthen our already developed associations while continuing to do our day-to-day work in the clinic. Once we have our own program established and functioning effectively, I then hope to engage other GP practices in the same activities.
Although it is by no way an entire solution to the problems faced in aged care, I’m proud to be part of a team that has recognised that something needs to be done and can be done and is now positively contributing to change in this area.
I thank the Department of Health and Aged Care, Murray PHN, Medical First, Wyndham House Clinic, all the Goulburn Valley Residential Aged Care Facilities, Goulburn Valley Health, local Pharmacies and Allied Health Services for their dedication to improved Aged Care and giving me the opportunity to pursue my goals in this area.
I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy 2025.
