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Getting Community Care Providers Connected. Connections in Aged & Community Care Symposium 2 July 2010. Community Care in Australia. Govt investment in community care services - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Getting Community Care Providers Connected
Connections in Aged & Community Care Symposium2 July 2010
Community Care in AustraliaGovt investment in community care services
In 2008-09 $2.9 Billion for Community Care services across Australia - including expenditure of $1.8 Billion on Home and Community Care (HACC)
Almost 1 Million people accessed support - collectively across funded community care programs
Broad range of programs/initiativesPrivately funded service options increasingGrowing area and preferred by many older
Australians
Community Care in QueenslandLarge number and diversity (size, location,
focus)of service providersIncreased use of technology for business
operationsSome providers adopting “virtual office”,
significant investment in telecommunications and computer software/hardware
Limited evidence of smart technology changing the way services are delivered or replacing face-to-face service provision
Community Care in QueenslandHACC Service Types & Guidelines – strong
focus on supporting independent living and funded on hours/transport trips/meals/modifications
Veterans Home Care – similar to HACCPackaged Care (CACPs/EACH/EACHD) –
more complex care and greater flexibility in applying funding but use of technology not actively promoted
Funding to Life Tec to promote and advise on assistive technology but not for direct subsidies or provision of equipment to clients
Investment in TechnologyCommonwealth Govt in 2007-08 allocated
$21.4 million over four years to :1. Undertake research into national and international use of
Assistive Technologies2. Establish an industry body to:
– promote the use of assistive technology, and– to use the busying power of the large number of services- to negotiate discounts on assistive technology solutions.
3. Offer annual grants program ($15.3 million over three years) to fund innovation in Assistive Technology– First grants to be advertised early in the 2008 calendar year
And then……
Investment in Technology2009 budget discontinued initiative as:
“aged care industry is now aware of the availability and benefits of such technology.”
Investment in TechnologySmart Home DemonstratorQueensland HACC Program 2010
- $1.1 million one-off funding targeted at “smart assistive technology”
Linked to provision of allied health services
Focus on promoting a person’s functional independence
BUT……….
Investment in TechnologyA welcome but small, targeted
investmentPotentially fragmented approachFunded organisations responsible for
own evaluationUnclear how initiative will be evaluated
as a whole No commitment for ongoing
support/focusHACC Program will be split from mid
2012 – ageing part to the Commonwealth
What’s Required ?Government needs to recognise and actively
promote technologyGovernment program and funding guidelines
need to allow for investment/provision of smart assistive technology as normal part of service provision
Ensuring research and evidence is provided to key decision makers within Government (politicians and bureaucrats)
Raising awareness with consumers and within broader community
An International example
Opportunities to InfluenceQueensland Govt – 10 year plan for
Queenslanders with a disability – consultation process
Department of Health & Ageing - to get back on agenda (Aged Care Innovative Pool)
Queensland Govt – Positively Ageless Seniors Strategy 2010-20
Submissions to Productivity Commission InquiriesCare of Older AustraliansDisability Care & Support