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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-30 Daily Xml
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ACCESS2HOMECARE

The Hon. L. STEVENS (Little Para) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Ageing. What new initiative is being trialled in South Australia to simplify and improve the way in which services are delivered to frail older South Australians and their carers?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:47): I thank the member for Little Para for her question. I know that she has a keen interest in the approaches to the provision of services for older South Australians and in exploring innovative ways to continue to support our seniors as the state's population of older people increases.

The Rann government recognises the fundamental right for our seniors to manage their own lives. The capacity to make one's own decisions must always be respected and supported. With that in mind, I am pleased to announce the introduction of Access2HomeCare, a new way of providing community care advice based on client choice and service capacity. This announcement follows the news last week about the joint funding commitment with the commonwealth for HACC programs reaching record levels; an additional $35 million.

The demand for community care and aged care generally is growing rapidly due to our unprecedented ageing population. Currently, there are a number of pathways that people use to access community care services. Often community care is recommended by a general practitioner or organised through a relative or friend to help people stay independent and in their own homes for as long as is reasonably possible. Most older South Australians live independently in our community, with little or no support from services, and contribute to the community in many valued ways whilst maintaining a good quality of life.

However, when people need additional support due to declining health and capacity, it can be difficult to know where to start. Sourcing and accessing appropriate services that support older people can be complex and can place a significant burden on families. Access2HomeCare has been set up to help people find their way into and through the community care system simply and effectively.

Access2HomeCare is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian governments and is administered through the Office for the Ageing. Tomorrow it will be my pleasure to officially launch the Demonstration Project in conjunction with the state manager of the federal Department of Health and Ageing, Ms Jan Feneley, who will be representing the federal Minister for Ageing, the Hon. Justine Elliott.

Our western suburbs in Adelaide, as well as the Gawler, Barossa, Lower North and Yorke Peninsula areas, will be used as a 12-month demonstration project before the service extends through the rest of South Australia from August next year. Access2HomeCare is a telephone-based service and, for the cost of a local call, families living in these areas can access a 1300 number (1300 130 551). It will not replace the current community care arrangements in South Australia but will complement them and better assist people to find the services they need when they are needed.

Access2HomeCare aims to reduce the number of times a person has to provide information about themselves and their care needs. It is designed to support frail older people, their carers and families to find the service that best meets their needs at that time. Trained Access2HomeCare staff will discuss with people, as well as their carers, the daily living tasks (such as showering and meal preparation) that may have become more difficult, and the community care services that could assist them to remain in their own homes. In most instances Access2HomeCare then establishes the eligibility of the aged person for government-funded community care services and identifies specific programs or services that could be of benefit.

For a state with increasing numbers of frail older people, ensuring that those in greatest need receive timely and appropriate care is a clear priority for this government. We understand that older people require a system of service delivery that is customer-focused, holistic and flexible and offers choice based on changing needs. Access2HomeCare will open the door to a range of aged care services so that people can know what help is available and how they can access it.

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