Analysis of Community Aged Care in Australian Healthcare

This report provides an analysis of community aged care in Australia, focusing on the services and facilities available to elderly individuals. It begins with an introduction to residential aged care within the Australian healthcare system, highlighting its importance and the role of tertiary care facilities. A case study of a 91-year-old man, Abraham Chatzkel, is used to illustrate the care provided, including considerations for his rheumatoid arthritis. The report then examines the impact of political and ideological factors on aged care, discussing funding cuts and the stances of major political parties. Community inclusion and participation strategies are emphasized, along with the importance of culturally appropriate care. The report concludes with a summary of the care programs and strategies that can be employed to provide compassionate and empathetic care for aged individuals in Australia. References to relevant literature are also included.

Running head: COMMUNITY AGED CARE ON AUSTRALIA
Community aged care on Australia
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Brief description of the facility:.......................................................................................................2
Impact of political and ideology on the care:..................................................................................3
Community inclusion and participation:.........................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................4
References:......................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction:
Residential aged care can be defined as one of the most important sectors of the
Australian health care system providing shelter, safety, security and quality acre for the elderly
members of the society living on their own without anyone to care for them (Chan & Chan,
2018). This paper will attempt to discuss the care services and facilities that an aged member
can receive from the aged care services, a tertiary care facility in the Australian demographics
taking the assistance of a case study.
Brief description of the facility:
The case study chosen for the assignment represents an aged man named Abraham
Chatzkel, a 91 year old man who had recently been enrolled in an aged care facility. It has to be
understood that aged care facility has a distinct position in the Australian health care system and
it falls under the tertiary care system. Tertiary care system can be defined as the type of as the
specialized consultative health care that is provided to the inpatients in a residential setting
(Shaw, Rosen & Rumbold, 2011). On a more elaborative note, tertiary care services have
infrastructure and specialist staff with expertise to serve the acute and advanced care needs of
frail, elderly, acute, and chronically ill patients. Hence the tertiary hospitals provide patient
centered specialized intensive care that cannot be provided by a primary or secondary facility.
Aged care facilities are also a part of referral tertiary care in Australia, specializing on the frail
elderly patients with acute or chronic conditions. In this case, Abrahim was 91 and was
struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic condition; hence he required specialized in-patient
care. In Australian health care system, such extensive residential care can be provided by only an
advanced aged care facility providing tertiary care to him. Now, it has to be mentioned that in

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Australian healthcare system, aged care are provided in most tertiary hospitals as an independent
specialty unit, any of which can be accessed by the patient. On the other hand, the patient can
also access the autonomous aged acre facilities which are also a part of tertiary service in
Australia (Chan & Chan, 2018).
Impact of political and ideology on the care:
With respect to the political and economic burden on the health care system of the
Australia, it has to be mentioned, that there are approximately 15.85% increase in the aged
population in the past five years. According to the report by Agedcare.health.gov.au (2016),
Australia housed close to over 2000 aged care service providers under the supervision of the
HACC providing prefunded low cost care. The patient in this case required care and residential
service, he will not benefit from the support given by the HACC sector. Rather, he will benefit
from the residential charity funded aged care services.
Considering the political impact, there are two major presences in Australia. The liberal
party is the major centre right political party in Australia and the Australian labor party which
has been in opposition since 2013. Whereas the Liberal party has devoted a significant part of
their election position statement to improving the aged care road map, there have been 40.2$
million fund cuts in aged care budget since 2015 (COTA Australia, 2018). On the other hand, the
Labor party has committed to reviewing the aged care service delivery; they are not in position to
reverse the fund cuts. Although, it can be hoped that reviewing the aged care service delivery by
the initiative of Labor party can be of benefit to Abrahim and the care service and quality he may
receive in the aged care facility (abc.net.au, 2018).

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Community inclusion and participation:
. The patient had insisted that he enjoyed outdoor activities and he loved group activities
and interacting people. Hence, the care providers will have to include different group interaction
sessions and community inclusion to help the patent feel included and be able to communicate
with his peers. Community inclusion can be defined as the practice that facilitates inclusion for
all members of the society, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or health care needs, to be
respected and appreciated as valued members of the communities. It provides the individual with
a sense of purpose and meaning in the community (Brownie & Nancarrow, 2013).It will help
him overcome his loneliness and will help promote improved overall health outcomes including
emotional and spiritual health along with physical health needs. According to the Duckett and
Willcox (2015), community participation and engagement plays a crucial role in improving the
health status of the elderly population by addressing their beliefs and attachment to their culture,
native land and the community. However, as Abrahim had mobility restrictions due to old age
and rheumatoid arthritis, care will needed to be taken to ensure disability and mobility aid as
applicable to ease the process of community participation of the patient.
Discussion:
According to the case study, Abrahim had never married and he had no living children,
hence it is clear that the patient in the case study had no living next of kin in the present scenario.
He lived with his niece and her husband, and as the family had decided to move to New York,
the patient had to resort to living in the care facility. The primary reason behind the patient being
shifted in the care facility is the fact that the never wanted to move to the New York as he did not
want to more away from the culture and lifestyle of Australia, where he has spent most of his
life. Hence, it can be concluded that the patient had a connection with the Australian culture and

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he loved the people and the life of Australia, hence the care provided to him will need to be
culturally appropriate and engaging (Baldwin, Chenoweth & dela Rama, 2015). Along with that,
I would also incorporate care that is inclusive and compassionate to help engage with the patent
as much as possible. Lastly, I would ensure to engage in a mutually respectful therapeutic
relationship with Abrahim to not only provide physical care, but also provide companionship and
communicational comfort, so that he can freely share his issues and grievances with me.
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, this assignment included the care programs and details that a aged
member of a society requiring residential care can avail in Australia and the different care needs
of such patient population that is need to be addressed while caring for them. Lastly, the care
strategies included can be considered an extremely patient centered approach to provide
compassionate and empathetic care to clients like Abrahim.

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References:
Aged Care: a quick guide – Parliament of Australia. (2018). Retrieved
from https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamenta
Baldwin, R., Chenoweth, L., & dela Rama, M. (2015). Residential aged care policy in Australia–
are we learning from evidence?. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 74(2), 128-
141.
Brownie, S., & Nancarrow, S. (2013). Effects of person-centered care on residents and staff in
aged-care facilities: a systematic review. Clinical interventions in Aging, 8, 1.
Chan, D. K., & Chan, L. K. (2018). Aged care services in Australia and commentary on lessons
learnt. Aging Medicine.
Chan, D. K., & Chan, L. K. (2018). Aged care services in Australia and commentary on lessons
learnt. Aging Medicine.
Duckett, S., & Willcox, S. (2015). The Australian health care system (No. Ed. 5). Oxford
University Press.
Federal Election 2016 - COTA Australia. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.cota.org.au/policy/federal-elections/federal-election-2016
Labor to commit to aged care services review, but 'not in a position' to reverse budget cuts.
(2018). Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-26/election-2016-labor-to-
commit-to-aged-care-review/7446632

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Shaw, S., Rosen, R., & Rumbold, B. (2011). What is integrated care. An overview of integrated
care in the NHS. London: Nuffield Trust.