Short-Term Restorative Care For Older People

Older West Australians who need intensive support to help them remain living in their own home can now access a Short-Term Restorative Care program through Amana Living. 

Amana Living is one of three Perth aged care providers approved to deliver the Government’s Short-Term Restorative Care program, providing a range of health-related services to stabilise a decline in mental and physical abilities, such as a deterioration in mobility. This decline may inhibit an older person’s ability to complete every day activities.

The goal of the program is to improve the person’s ability to care for themselves, preventing a loss of independence, social isolation, and premature entry to high level community services or residential aged care. The services are delivered in the individual’s home and include, but are not limited to: Occupational Therapy; Physiotherapy, Nursing, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Dietician, Podiatry and Direct Care.

As part of the program, Amana Living provides a dedicated service coordinator to work with the individual to develop a goal-oriented care plan and arrange support services to be delivered for up to eight weeks.  The service coordinator will also work with the individual’s GP, touching base throughout the program.

To access the service, an individual will need to be referred to the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for an assessment. People considered eligible include those who:

• are slowing down mentally, or physically, or both
• need help with everyday tasks
• want to stay independent, and out of long-term residential care.

The program is not available to people who are receiving a home care package (however HACC & DVA, Veterans Assist or Direct Care Clients are eligible); are a resident of a nursing home; or have been in hospital within the last 3 months with a condition related to their current need for short term restorative care. 

Individuals are allowed two periods of Short-Term Restorative Care in one year.     

This service is funded by the Commonwealth Government but individuals are asked to make a contribution of approximately 5% of the daily costs which equals $10.10 a day.  This is based on 17.5% of the daily aged pension, however the cost can be negotiated in cases of financial hardship.

For more information about Short-Term Restorative Care, contact Amana Living on 1300 920 895.