ACARS Objectives

The Commonwealth Government provides funding for the Aged are Assessment Team to operate within the Macarthur Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service. Its objectives are:
- To ensure that older persons who belong to the following groups have equitable access to ACAT services:
--- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
--- people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
--- people living in rural and remote areas
--- veterans, their spouses, widows and widowers
--- people with dementia
- To ensure access to ACAT services is based on need
- To prevent premature or inappropriate admission to aged care homes
- To help frail older people live in the community
- To facilitate access to the combination of services that best meets the need of assessed clients
- To ensure that assessments of the care needs of frail older persons are comprehensive, incorporating the restorative, physical, medical, psychological, cultural and social dimensions of care need
- To involve clients, their carers and other service providers in the assessment

ACARS Staff

ACARS is staffed by a geriatrician, a medical rehabilitation specialist, a psychogeriatrician, a psychiatrist, a clinical nurse specialist, registered nurses, an occupational therapist, and social workers.

Aged Care Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit (ACARU)

A 20 bed ward for aged care assessment and rehabilitation service is located at Camden Hospital. To compliment and expand available services a specialised 34 bed aged care assessment, acute stroke and psychogeriatric unit will be established at Campbelltown Hospital in 2004 in addition to the Camden Unit.

Under the guidance and support of a Rehabilitation Specialist, a multi disciplinary team approach sees medical, nursing and allied health staff working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patient. The focus on the unit is rehabilitation and endeavours to maximise people's potential through assessment and rehabilitation plan.

With the input from the patient, family/friends and staff, goals are formulated and strived for. Regular liaison throughout the hospital stay is maintained for the patient and family's benefit. Many patients return home, perhaps requiring additional help from community services. Most of this can be arranged by the nursing staff before discharge.

Carer education, Carer Support and follow up in the community are seen as important aspects of patient care also. Referrals for admission to the unit from inpatients of Campbelltown or Camden Hospitals or patients from the community should be directed to the Unit.

Aged Care and Rehabilitation Unit
Lower Ground Floor
Camden Hospital
Menangle Rd
Camden 2570
(02) 4654 6337

Commonwealth Carelink Centres

A free telephone service and over 60 shopfronts to provide information about aged care and disability services available in your local area and how to contact them. The service is aimed at assisting people to remain independent and in their own homes. The service can be used by older Australians, peolple with disabilites, their families and carers, general practitioners, health professionals, and other service providers.

Information is available on services including household help, personal and nursing care, meal services, home modification and maintenance, transport, disability services, respite care, day care and therapy centres, aged care assessment, special services for dementia, continence assistance, support groups, Community Aged Care Packages, aged care homes and a range of allied health care (Podiatry, physiotherapy, etc).

Centres can provide information about how to contact services, eligibility criteria for services, and if a cost is associated with receiving services.

40 Cumberland St Cabramatta
Phone: 1800 052 222
TTY: 1800 555 677
Speech impaired: 1800 555 727 (Speech-to-Speech Relay)
Email: southwestcarelink@anglicare.org.au
Website: www.commcarelink.health.gov.au

Community Assessment and Therapy Services

consist of the following:

• Physical Disability Service
• Community Rehabilitation Team
• Day Hospital
• Aged Care Assessment Team

Services are provided to adults (those greater than school age) who require rehabilitation after acute illness or injury, to elderly with multifactorial problems which interfere with their ability to manage in the community and persons with chronic physical disability.

Services provided include:

• Therapy programs to maintain or improve mobility and strength
• Therapy to maximise safety and independence, including assessment
• Assistance to obtain appropriate equipment
• Assessment and assistance with home modification needs
• Advocacy and counselling
• Gait training and re-education
• Therapy to improve perceptual and cognitive abilities
• Assessment and treatment of swallowing and communication problems
• Determination of client need for specific services and/or eligibility for placement in nursing homes, hostels and Community Aged Care Packages

All referrals through:
Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service,
PO Box 99 Camden 2570
Camden Hospital, Menangle Rd, Camden.
(02) 4654 6322
Fax: (02) 4654 6390
8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

The primary purpose of Macarthur ACAT is to assist frail older people to gain access to the type of services most appropriate to meet their care needs. This includes:
- determining eligibility for some Commonwealth subsidised aged care services -
--- residential aged care
--- community aged care packages
- refer people to a range of community based services meeting their needs and expressed wishes, including:
--- home care
--- meals on wheels
--- day care and respite services
--- Macarthur Home Modification Service

Macarthur ACAT
- conduct comprehensive assessments of the restorative, physical, medical, psychological, cultural and social dimensions of care
- focus on the needs and preferences of people being assessed
- take into account the needs and preferences of the carer / advocate
- actively encourage client and provider involvement in the planning, development and management of assessment services
- promote community awareness of ACAT and how they can assist the target group
establish and maintain links with providers of residential care, community care, health services and general practitioners
- ensure equity of access to assessment services by clients
- ensure that their clients understand and are able to exercise their rights

The Macarthur Aged Care Assessment Team is a multidisciplinary team providing assessment, support, as well as an advisory and referral services to frail elderly and disabled elderly adults in the local community. Team members visit people in their homes.

The team is able to assist older people, their carers and family make decisions and to arrange the most suitable care, treatment and services for their particular needs. The team consists of a Rehabilitation Specialist, Career Medical Officer, Clinical Nurse Specialists (Aged Care and Psychogeriatric), Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Nursing Home Placement Officer and Respite Liaison Officer.

The team offers a weekly dementia assessment clinic also. The team is often required to assess people in hospital if necessary on a consultation basis.

Aged Care Assessment Teams also assess for suitability for nursing home or hostel care, as well as specific Community Aged Care Packages. We approve applications for admission to these facilities/services.

The Aged Care Assessment Team is the primary agency responsible for the investigation and management of suspected or actual cases of abuse of older people in their homes. Early referral to the team is recommended. The service is free.

Referrals for assessment, consultations and appointments for the dementia assessment clinic can be made through ACAT Intake Officer.

Macarthur Aged Care Assessment Team
Camden Hospital
Camden 2570
(02) 4654 6322

Able Rehabilitation Equipment

Hire and sales of manual wheelchairs, bedroom, seating, mobility, bath, shower and toilet equipment and daily living products for the aged and disabled.

7 Lincoln St
Minto NSW 2566
Phone: (02) 9603 4400
Fax: (02) 9824 6166

Rehabilitation Links

Here are some links to information about general rehabilitation:
Comcare Australia (Commonwealth worker's compensation "insurer"): www.comcare.gov.au
Motor Accidents Authority: www.maa.nsw.gov.au
WorkCover NSW: www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation Services are located within most major hospitals. They provide a specialist service to disabled older people and younger disabled adults. The aim of rehabilitation is to promote accurate diagnosis and assessment of a person in a wholistic way. This incorporates the physical, mental, social and psychological functioning of a person in order to facilitate recovery and maintenance for independence. Rehabilitation services care for people who have had a stroke, joint replacement, amputation, fractured limbs and other orthopaedic/medical problems.

Rehabilitation Services in Macarthur consist of:

• Aged Care and Rehabilitation Unit
• Community and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
• Orthotic/Prosthetic Clinic
• MS Clinic
• Rehabilitation medical clinics
• Equipment Loan Pool - Equipment is provided to clients of Macarthur Aged Care for short term loan (up to two months)

Aged Care Assessment & Rehabilitation Unit

Community Rehabilitation and Day Hospital Service

A range of centre and community based multidisciplinary services are provided to Macarthur residents requiring assessment and rehabilitation. Transport is provided for clients attending the Day Hospital which is currently based at:

Macarthur Aged Care & Rehabilitation Service
Narellan Community Health Centre
14 Queen Street
Narellan 2567
Phone: (02) 4640 3568
Fax: (02) 4640 3513

Medical Clinics

Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, Physical Disability Clinic

Held at Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service, Lower Ground Floor, Camden Hospital, Menangle Rd, Camden. Medical assessment is provided to adults who require rehabilitation after acute illness or injury, to the elderly with multifactorial problems which interfere with their ability to manage in the community and persons with chronic physical disabilities.

Orthotic/Prosthetic Clinic

Clients are assessed by the rehabilitation specialist, physiotherapist and prosthetist/orthotist for prescription of artificial limbs and orthotic devices.

Referrals: A referral from your general practitioner is required. All consultations are bulk-billed to Medicare. Phone for an appointment.
Phone: (02) 4654 6322
Fax: (02) 4654 6390
8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday

Estonian Relief Committee

Retirement units and hostel care for Estonian aged persons.

25 Estonian Rd, Thirlmere 2572
Phone: (02) 4681 8566
Fax: (02) 4683 1362
Email: nataliem@estonianretirement.com.au