Short-term restorative care (STRC) provides a range of multidisciplinary, early intervention services for up to 8 weeks, twice within a 12-month period, to reverse or slow functional decline in older people who are having difficulty performing their day-to-day activities.
The aim of STRC is to help older people restore their independence at home by providing services that can improve their health and wellbeing, prevent or reduce problems completing daily tasks, and delay or avoid long-term or higher levels of care.
STRC services are provided with the older person’s input and may include, aids and equipment, audiology, nursing support, continence management, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, cooking assistance, nutrition, personal care and home maintenance.
An older person must have an Aged Care Assessment Team assessment to be eligible for STRC. GPs can refer a patient to My Aged Care and request an aged care assessment with a view to STRC by completing the online health professional referral form. It is important to state the urgency and include as much information as possible because requests will be triaged.
The current STRC providers across Western Australia’s three PHNs include:
- Perth North – Amana Living, Catholic Homes, myHomecare, Mercy Community Services and Southern Cross Care WA.
- Perth South – Amana Living, Catholic Homes, myHomecare and Mercy Community Services.
- Country WA – Catholic Homes, Silver Chain Group, Life Without Barriers, WA Country Health Services and Southern Cross Care WA.
For further information about STRC and the eligibility requirements, refer to the Practice Assist STRC fact sheet, the STRC Programme manual or the STRC Programme webpage on the Australian Government Department of Health website.
Face-to-face support for patients and their representatives about STRC or other aged care services is also available through Services Australia on 1800 227 475.