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Community-based Allied Health services available:

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Allied Health
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Short-term Restorative Care (STRC)
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Home Care Packages (HCP) Allied Health
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Fee-for-service
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Download our Allied Health Programs brochure here.



Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Allied Health

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides small amounts of entry-level support to assist older people to remain living at home and in their community. CHSP providers may deliver higher intensity services on a short-term basis where clear improvements in function or capacity can be made, or further decline avoided. These services should aim to get the client ‘back on their feet’ and able to resume previous activities without the need for ongoing support.

Referral criteria

Eligible:

  • Age >65 years (>50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
  • Client does not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Clients living in their own home, retirement villages or independent living units.
  • Low-moderate functional needs.
  • Client willing to actively participate in achieving their goals.

Not eligible:


Geographical availability

Metropolitan WA:

  • All metropolitan areas

Country WA:

  • South West
  • Great Southern
  • For all other regions, call 1300 300 122 to check availability.

Cost

Clients may be required to pay a contribution under the terms of the CHSP fees policy.  A fees assessment will be conducted to determine what clients will be required to contribute to their care.

Length of program

Allied Health CHSP services are short-term up to 12 weeks.

Post-program options

For CHSP Restorative Care Services (RCS) clients – transition to  

  • CHSP Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • CHSP Physiotherapy (PT)

 For CHSP OT or CHSP PT clients – transition to 

  • CHSP RCS

 For CHSP OT, CHSP PT or CHSP RCS clients with more complex needs:  


Referrals for CHSP Occupational Therapy (OT) should be targeted to one or more of the following:

  • Home modifications
  • Mobility/transfer techniques and equipment
  • Falls prevention and safety in the home (including personal alarms)
  • Pressure management
  • Small aids/equipment prescription (eg. shower stool, one handed aids)
  • Assessment of complex equipment items (eg. wheelchairs, hoists)
  • Energy conservation, task simplification, fatigue management
  • Anxiety management
  • Cognitive rehabilitation (memory, dementia management strategies)
  • Community access and social engagement

Referrals for CHSP Physiotherapy (PT) should be targeted to one or more of the following:

  • Mobility, balance and gait retraining
  • Falls prevention
  • Pre-habilitation for pending surgeries and post-operative input
  • Aids and equipment prescription to support mobility (eg. walking aids)
  • Improving endurance and exercise tolerance to manage daily activities/routines
  • Strategies to manage cardiorespiratory conditions
  • Strategies for managing arthritic conditions, postural difficulties and persistent pain
  • Home exercise program to target specific client goals
  • Addressing frailty

CHSP PT is for a maximum of 12 weeks

The CHSP Restorative Care Service (RCS) program is delivered by a multidisciplinary team involving Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Care Managers, Therapy Assistants, Care Aides.

The goals of the program are:

  • Learning new ways of approaching personal and daily activities that have become more difficult
  • Accessing support with basic and essential equipment and/or home modifications
  • Learning how to reduce the risk of falling, both at home and in the community
  • Home exercise programs that help improve strength, balance and your overall physical activity
  • Education about healthy and successful ageing
  • Engagement in community-based activities
How to refer
  1. Check CHSP programme eligibility criteria.
  2. Determine what type of Allied Health services will best meet your patient’s needs.
    • CHSP Occupational Therapy (OT)
    • CHSP Physiotherapy (PT)
    • If a client requires a reablement approach (rather than profession-specific), consider the CHSP Restorative Care Service (RCS). 
  3. Make a Referral via My Aged Care (MAC) Portal.
  4. Request a RAS or ACAT assessment.
  5. Select Silverchain as the provider.
  6. For the Restorative Care Service, complete the Silverchain Medication Authority form (if applicable) and Application and Removal of Surgical or Medical Stockings or Garments Authority form(if applicable) and send either via:

Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)

STRC is an early intervention care program aiming to help people live a healthy, safe and active life at home and within their community. STRC offers greater intensity of input and increased access to equipment and minor home modifications. The STRC program is offered to clients who have complex clinical needs.

Service may include:

  • Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Dietetics and Occupational Therapy
  • Nursing and Personal Care
  • Support with daily living activities and attendance at activities which reduce social isolation
  • Case management

Referral criteria

Eligible:

  • Current ACAT referral. NB referrals are valid for up to 6 months, then lapse if unused.
  • Person is willing and able to engage in a goal oriented program to regain or improve their independence
  • Experiencing a functional physical or cognitive decline that is likely to be reversed or slowed through high intensity, short-term support
  • At risk of losing their independence that may result in a significant level of long-term home care or entering residential care prematurely.

Not eligible:

  • Had a hospital admission in the three months prior to assessment related to functional decline, or admitted for the same reason as STRC referral
  • Receiving end-of-life care
  • Receiving a Home Care Package
  • Receiving Transitional Care or has received Transitional Care in the last 6 months
  • Have already received two periods of STRC in the 12 months prior to assessment.

Geographical availability

Country WA:

  • South West
  • Great Southern
  • For all other regions, call to check availability.

Cost

A daily fee may apply. A fees assessment will be conducted to determine what clients will be required to contribute to their care.

Length of program

Strict 8 weeks duration from date of onboarding

STRC ceases after hospital admissions >7 days. Consider the following hospital discharge options :

Post-program options

For CHSP STRC clients requiring further allied health input consider:   

 For CHSP STRC clients with more complex needs:  


How to refer
  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Make a Referral via My Aged Care (MAC) Portal
  3. Request an ACAT assessment 
  4. Select Silverchain as the provider.
  5. Complete the following forms (if applicable)
  6. Send forms either via:

Home Care Packages (HCP) Allied Health

For clients with more complex needs, consider an ACAT referral for a Home Care Package (HCP). The HCP program supports senior Australians with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes, using a consumer-directed care (CDC) approach to ensure the support suits a person’s needs and goals.

Services and supports for daily living include, but are not limited to, Allied Health, food services, Domestic Assistance, Home Maintenance and modifications, Transport, and Social Support.

These may include services and supports to keep people:

  • Well and independent – including Personal Care, Nursing services, Allied Health.
  • Safe in their home – including cleaning, home maintenance and modifications, assistive technology.
  • Connected to their community – including Transport, Social Support services.

Referral criteria

Eligible:

  • Age >65 years (>50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
  • Clients living in their own home, retirement villages or independent living units.

Not eligible:

  • Permanent residents of residential care facilities.

Geographical availability

Metropolitan WA:

  • All metropolitan areas

Country WA:

  • South West
  • Great Southern

Cost

No cost to client.

Clients may refer to the HCP Pricing Schedule.

Length of program

N/A

Post-program options

HCP Level 1-2: clients able to access the following programs:

HCP Level 3-4: clients able to access

*Note: HCP clients may take leave from their HCP when accessing TCP.


How to refer
  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Go to My Aged Care (MAC) Portal
  3. Apply for an ACAT assessment
  4. Determine level of HCP required
  5. Select Silverchain as the provider
  6. If your client requires a motorised mobility device, complete the Medical Information Form for Motorised Mobility Device Requestand send either via:

If your client is a hospital inpatient and already in receipt of a Home Care Package provided by Silverchain, please call us on 1300 300 122, or speak with the HCP Coordinator directly to discuss your client’s Allied Health needs on discharge.