After two years in operation, the national Transition Aged Care Program (TACP) has been described as a resounding success by Wendy Colley, who is the program co-ordinator, where it operates out of Community Health in Armidale for Tablelands Cluster residents from Guyra to Uralla. However, Ms Colley has said that there is a need for greater awareness of the service in health services, General Practitioners and the public.
“The program is aimed at supporting and assisting older people following an admission to hospital, by improving the individual’s independence and confidence with daily living skills,” she said. “It provides time limited and therapy focused care for clients, and is delivered in the comfort of their own home.”
To be eligible for the Transitional Aged Care program the older person must be an inpatient of a hospital and have been assessed and approved by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
“The program can be provided for a period of up to 12 weeks and features a range of low intensity therapy from the programs Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and Nursing support.
“The program includes assistance with personal care as well as domestic services, and is provided with the intent of maintaining, and, where possible, improving physical and cognitive functioning in order to facilitate improved capacity in activities of daily living.”
Activities that clients participate in include a weekly Falls Prevention Group, a weekly hydrotherapy group and a weekly coffee in the community group.
The aim of the program also focuses on preventing premature or inappropriate admissions to permanent residential aged care for older clients who require some extra support following admission to hospital.
Ms Colley said the program has helped 82 clients. Currently, the oldest program participant is 96 year-old Sheila Fullerton. She said that she is enjoying the social aspects of the program, as well as the exercises which have helped her to stay active.
Community identity and retired Armidale Dumaresq Council staffer, Poh Woodland has credited the transition program for her strong recovery from a serious medical situation that resulted in months of hospital care (mostly in Sydney). “When I got back to Armidale, I could barely walk with the assistance of a frame. Thanks to the fantastic staff in this program, my progress has been great. After a little over a month, I can walk about with just a cane,” she said.
Program participants often need to gently strengthen muscles due to their body’s inactivity during a lengthy hospital stay. Operated with funding from both Federal and State Governments, the Program enhanced and extends quality of life, while saving funding dollars as the participants spend less time in health services and aged care facilities.
Wendy Colley and her team exhibit care that goes above and beyond. They bake for the morning teas, which feature a guest speaker. There is an evident pride and satisfaction among the team, in the difference that they are able to make in people’s lives as they make the transition from hospital to home and struggle with motivation as they recover strength, mobility and quality of life.
Story: Gary Fry
