Response to the Department of Health consultation survey about the aged care Support at Home proposed services list

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Department of Health (Ageing and Aged Care) consultation survey about the services included as part of a reformed in-home aged care (Support at Home) program.

The APS generally supported the proposed services list. The significant implementation challenge will, however, be ensuring the Support at Home program enables older people to gain timely access to the services required to meet their care and quality of life needs. This will require investment in case management and high quality initial and ongoing assessment of an older person's health and wellbeing needs using suitable tools and highly trained assessors.

The APS also strongly advocated for the program to incorporate clearer reference to the program supporting older people to regain or maintain psychological health and wellbeing, in addition to regaining and maintaining physical, functional and cognitive abilities.

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