Aged Care Part 1 | Navigating chronic oedema care in the community
Who assesses, who provides the care, who pays, and how does an older person actually access the compression they need?
The aged care system has changed, but what do those changes actually mean for clinicians supporting an older person with chronic oedema or lymphoedema at home?
In Part 1, Maree O’Connor speaks with lymphoedema physiotherapist and aged care leader Kerryn Tutt to unpack the Support at Home system through the practical example of “Betty”. They explore how an older person can access appropriate assessment and specialist care, what clinicians need to know before providing services, how clinical care and compression garments are funded, and where assistive technology fits into the picture.
The conversation also covers quoting, documentation, communication with care partners and the importance of anticipating ongoing needs rather than waiting until funding or support runs out.
Aged Care Part 2 | Managing chronic oedema in residential aged care will be available from November 17
About our guest speaker Kerryn Tutt:
Kerryn is an executive leader and physiotherapist with over 25 years experience in aged care, disability and allied health. She has led multidisciplinary teams and major service transitions across multiple organisations. Kerryn brings both clinical and executive insight, helping practitioners deliver high quality person centre care under the new changes .
Sponsor
This episode of Lymphoedema Insights is proudly supported by Essity.
Essity Health & Medical supports the management of chronic oedema in older people with a range of compression and skin care solutions, including JOBST Elvarex Soft, JOBST Activa soSoft, JOBST FarrowWrap and Leukoplast Skin Sensitive products.
Together with education and practical clinical support, these options can help clinicians provide individualised oedema management and skin care for older people.
To learn more, visit medical.essity.com.au.
🎧 Listen to Episode 17
Key Takeaway Messages
- Identifying chronic oedema is only the starting point. The person needs assessment by a suitably qualified clinician who can determine likely causes, risks, comorbidities and management needs.
- Under Support at Home, access to clinical services depends on what has been approved in the person’s Notice of Decision. Physiotherapy, for example, needs to be specifically approved before those funds can be used.
- External clinicians working with an approved aged care provider may need to supply business details, registration, screening checks, insurance, relevant training and agreement to comply with the Aged Care Code of Conduct and provider processes.
- When quoting for care, clinicians need to include the full service, not just face-to-face treatment. Assessment, reports, communication, prescribing, ordering and follow-up all take time and should be factored into the cost.
- Clinical care under Support at Home does not require a co-contribution, but assistive technology such as compression garments is managed separately and may involve a contribution depending on the person’s means.
- Compression garments are currently classified within the assistive technology framework, and clinicians may need to provide clear clinical advice even where a formal prescription is not technically required.
- Good documentation is essential. Providers need evidence of assessment, treatment planning, goals, progress, risks and review points to support care and payment.
- Communication with the care partner matters because recommendations need to make their way into the person’s care plan and schedule of services.
What can you do now
- Check what funding and clinical approvals the person already has before assuming a pathway is available.
- If needs are increasing, encourage early reassessment rather than waiting until current supports are exhausted.
- Confirm the provider’s requirements before commencing care, including credentialing, documentation and invoicing.
- Quote for the whole episode of care, including reporting, communication, prescribing and follow-up.
- Provide clear written recommendations for compression and other assistive technology.
- Plan ahead for repeat garment needs and review timing rather than waiting until funding expires.
- Send invoices promptly and within the provider’s required timeframes.
- Close the communication loop with the care partner so recommendations translate into actual services.
Catch up
🎧 Listen to all episodes of Lymphoedema Insights for Health Professionals available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
