We Bring Allied Health Services To Your Home

Homecare FAQ

• Can you share a notable homecare success story?

  A home care organisation approached Community Therapy as one of their clients had a fractured neck of femur, she was admitted to hospital and had it surgically repaired. The client was deemed not suitable for rehabilitation and was discharged to a residential aged care facility.

  This lady was of multicultural background and non English speaking. Her family was highly involved and believed she still did have the capacity to improve her physical performance.

  We were engaged to visit the lady three days per week in the facility to improve her function. After three weeks, she was able to be discharged from the aged care facility and move back home with her daughter!

  She required the assistance of a Sara Stedy device, which she could use to stand up with the assistance of one person. After several weeks of Physiotherapy and rehabilitation at home with the home care provider, the lady now able to walk 40 meters with the assistance of a four wheel walker!!

• In what ways do you assist homecare coordinators and providers? How do you keep them up to date?

  Community Therapy is a preferred provider of Allied Health services for most of the home care providers in our region.

  A key way that allied health services help home care providers is by improving their consumer’s ability to remain living at home longer.

  We integrate strongly with our partner organisations, our staff essentially become part of their clinical team.

  We ensure the coordinators and home care providers are kept up to date with reports and progress notes of all visits that our clinicians complete. Our clinicians also phone coordinators, and have clinical discussions, as well as attend case conferences and monthly meetings as required and even provide education for staff.

• How do you communicate with the family of the homecare patient?

  It all depends on consent.

  We will communicate with the family of the homecare client however the client would like. As an example, the client may consent for us to liaise with their daughter, but not their son.

  If we are to disclose medical information about someone to another party, we must have consent from the person we’re treating.

  If an older adult has already provided power of attorney or guardianship to another party, and Community Therapy has been made aware of that, we are able to liaise with that person because consent has been provided.

• Is there a situation where someone will receive several allied health services simultaneously?

  It’s very common.

  For example, an Occupational Therapist may assess the environment or home for any required modifications or equipment. Then, the Physiotherapist will visit in order to assess the client’s physical performance or pain levels with a view to improving their strength, balance or mobility when engaging with their environment.

  A Dietitian and Speech Pathologist may be working together to support someone who needs their food and liquid consistency altered due to swallowing difficulties.

• How do you calculate variable long-term costs?

  Our providers have our fee schedule and it can vary with our services on projecting the costs to a home care package.

  Following an initial assessment, the Occupational Therapist will formulate a set of recommendations to support the client in achieving the goals that have been identified. These recommendations will be discussed with the client (or with their support person when appropriate).

  Once decided, the clinician will estimate the time involved in proceeding with the planned interventions. This may include time for drafting specifications for modifications, consulting with builders and suppliers, equipment trials and carrying out any necessary follow up assessments.

  Long term costs for Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Speech Pathology and Massage Therapy are calculated in a similar way. Following the initial consultation, the client’s goals will be predetermined in order to establish a plan to acheive these goals which includes the recommended frequency of visits.

   

• How do you handle scheduling, both for the patient and the homecare coordinator?

  At Community Therapy we work with many different referring organisations including home care providers and NDIS organisations.

  In some instances, we send email notification of scheduled appointments to the referring body, and in other cases we deal directly with the individual. We align with the referring organisation’s preferences when it comes to scheduling and recording appointment times.

  We can also set up appointment reminders for individuals if that suits them.

• What happens when a home care client needs to reschedule?

  We ask for at least two business days’ notice when rescheduling an appointment. This is particularly pertinent for our NDIS participants because the NDIS price guide notes that a cancellation charge may apply if less than two business days’ notice is provided.

  Leniency on our cancellation charges may apply at the direction of our leadership team. If you wish to discuss this you can call 1300 031 935 or email us through the form on our contact page.