Medical care integral to community aged care services

The AMA today released a new Position Statement on Community Aged Care Services.

The Position Statement sets out the role of doctors in the assessment and provision of aged care services in the community.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that medical care is integral to comprehensive quality aged care.

“Comprehensive community aged care services will give older Australians the confidence to remain living in their own homes for longer,” Dr Hambleton said.

“These services need to meet the specific needs of individuals and be coordinated and managed to have the optimal effect for the individuals receiving them.

“Their carers will feel supported if respite care is available when needed.

“Early medical assessment is critical to ensuring that older Australians receive the appropriate home support to maintain their level of independence before their social and health situation deteriorates.

“Doctors should undertake assessment of a patient’s needs, and refer the patient to a service that would then coordinate the provision of the required service.

“Most older Australians have longstanding relationships with their GP, who is best placed to determine which community services will work best for their patient.

“The AMA believes that the ongoing need for and provision of community care services should be overseen by GPs.”

The AMA Position Statement on Community Aged Care Services  is available at  https://ama.com.au/position-statement/community-aged-care-services-2013

It complements the AMA Position Statement on Access To Medical Care for Older Australians, which is available at https://ama.com.au/position-statement/access-medical-care-older-australians-2012