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Ageing Population | Service Provision | Target Population | Future Direction | Other Resources
The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is committed to the Department of Health State Aged Care Plan for Western Australia 2003-2008 and a vision of achieving independence, well being and quality of life for older Western Australians (WA's) through responsive health and aged care services and supports.
Ageing Population
In June 2003, 11.5% of the state's population were 65 and over. Within the WACHS catchment, the largest proportion of people 65 and over are in the Lower Great Southern area (14.0%), in contrast, the Pilbara and the Kimberley had only 2.4% and 4.4% of their respective populations in this age group. By the year 2011, the number of people 65 years and over in WA is estimated to increase to 12.5%. (ABS, 2003).
Service Provision
The WACHS services and programs include aged care assessment teams (ACATs), rehabilitation, residential aged care (high and low care), and community based services that include home and community care (HACC), and community aged care packages (CACPs), and respite services.
Whilst provision of residential aged care is the responsibility of the Australian Government, the WACHS provides 'flexible care places' in some small towns where private aged care facilities are not viable. These are provided under a Multi Purpose Service funding agreement.
Target Population
The target population for aged care services includes:
- Aboriginal people 50 years and over.
- Non-Aboriginal people 65 years and over with an emphasis on the frail elderly.
- Carers and families.
- People living in residential care.
- Older people in hospital who may need assistance in returning home.
- Older mental health clients.
- Older palliative care clients.
Future Direction
To meet the health care challenges of an ageing population in rural and remote WA, the WACHS is developing an aged care strategy. This strategy sets out to achieve a sustainable aged care service that will meet the changing needs of a diverse and increasingly older population and includes:
- A more appropriate staffing mix;
- A greater focus on a range of flexible community-based services;
- Supporting specialised services such as dementia and rehabilitation;
- An increased support for staff training and development opportunities;
- A regional coordinating approach to all aged care services, and
- A dynamic partnership with a range of other service providers and practitioners.
Other Resources
» Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
» Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs Telephone: 133 254
» Department of Health Aged Care Assessment Teams
» Department of Health Home and Community Care in Western Australia
» Department of Health State Aged Care Plan for Western Australia 2003 - 2008
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