ACT HACC funding & home telemonitoring announced
Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, announced details of an additional $1.3 million worth of Home and Community Care (HACC) services.
The funding will provide a range of basic maintenance and support services to frail aged people, people with a disability and their carers so that they can remain living independently in the community.
The program is estimated to provide services to over 11,000 vulnerable people in the territory. Additional services will include case management, client care coordination, counselling/support information and advocacy, domestic assistance, meals, personal care, respite care and social support.
“This funding will help many people stay at home rather than move prematurely into residential care, providing the practical assistance that many older Australians need,” Mr Butler said.
“People want to remain independent, in their own homes and communities, close to friends and family for as long as they can,” he said.
Ms Gallagher said that the additional HACC funds will enhance service provision for the most at-risk sections of the territory’s community.
“This boost in funding will assist seniors and people with a disability in the ACT to prepare for events like extreme weather conditions, at the same time enabling community organisations to put into action new ways of delivering HACC services,” Ms Gallager said.
“The funds will also assist the purchase of a bus for community transport, and assistive technology, goods and equipment to enhance independent living in the home and community.”
Home telemonitoring for patients with chronic disease in ACT
Innovative use of technology can assist with the monitoring of chronic diseases, Ms Gallagher, said as she launched the ACT Health Home Telemonitoring Service.
The $200,000 a year cutting-edge service helps selected patients with heart failure, chronic lung disease or diabetes manage their health more effectively.
“Heart failure, chronic lung disease and diabetes are the three most common diseases in the ACT and Australia,” the Minister said.
“Patients use the computerised equipment to take daily observations such as blood pressure, weight and blood sugar levels. These are monitored over the Internet by ACT Health clinicians for up to six months. Any changes from ‘usual’ observations are discussed with the patient’s referring team and, when necessary, the patient.
“This service is another example of the ways technology can assist clinicians and patients manage their conditions over the long-term, and hopefully improve their quality of life by reducing the need for acute intervention.”
The service has been operating for four months with five patients currently participating.
“This is an exciting initiative which assists us to focus clinical support into early intervention, prevention and management of people living with chronic disease in the community,” Ms Gallagher said.
