Hidden group with preventable problems relying on HACC
Australia’s largest cohort study of older Australians, the 45 and Up Study, has found a high rate of preventable health problems among older Australians who are relying on home and community care (HACC) services in order to remain in their homes and independent.
Professor Louisa Jorm, research director at the Sax Institute, says the study has identified that many of these older Australians have chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and depression as well as high rates of both underweight and overweight, and low levels of physical activity.
“This is a large, hidden group of Australians who have chronic diseases and a huge reliance on public services so understanding how they are using these services is crucial to understanding healthy ageing,” said Professor Jorm.
She presented the data to the recent Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) Community Care Conference.
“The findings provide enormous potential for implementing programs that target lifestyle risk factors through the home and community care sector.”
“HACC clients tend to be sedentary and they have high rates of falls. This emphasises the potential value of programs to increase physical activity, with a focus on improving strength and balance, for this group of older people,” she said.
Every day 830,000 Australians use nursing, meals, household assistance, transport, day centre and respite care services.
“This is a major service sector for older people and up until now we have had limited evidence to assess the potential of community care as a setting for the delivery of preventive health interventions,” she said.
The study is the first to examine associations between a range of lifestyle-related factors and HACC service use.
