Older South Australians will be supported to leave hospital sooner thanks to an Australian-first reablement program by the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) and ACH Group.
NALHN will occupy 24 private rooms at ACH Group’s brand-new state-of-the-art residential care home Healthia to help transition older people from hospital to their home or more suitable accommodation.
Half of the rooms will be dedicated to the newly created Northern Reablement and Intermediate Care to Home (NRICH) program, which will support older people experiencing delays with their hospital discharge. The Australian-first program focuses on reenabling patients in an alternative community-based setting which provides a safe home environment and specialised 24/7 care from a team of expert healthcare professionals.
NALHN staff will deliver specialist geriatric and reablement support, with person-directed day-to-day care provided by ACH Group staff.
Healthia, a $40 million development by ACH Group, is located in Elizabeth South within the Playford Health Precinct. The residential care home has adopted a small household-built form, a preferred model identified by the Royal Commission.
ACH Group CEO Frank Weits said the South Australian not-for-profit aged care provider had extensive experience in partnering with local health networks on innovative and integrated programs to support both older people live well and the acute health system.
“We know the goal for the majority of older South Australians is to remain living independently in their own home. With care from ACH Group’s specialist aged care staff and the NALHN team, NRICH will support patients to regain their health and return and live well in their own homes,” he said.
“The unique home environment and person-directed care philosophy at Healthia create a de-institutionalised and familiar setting for patients and residents which further supports their health and wellbeing.”
South Australian Minister for Health Chris Picton MP said, “NRICH is a unique program that will vastly improve the health and wellbeing of older people in our northern suburbs during their journey home from hospital.
“Not only does it provide older people with the care they need in an appropriate setting, but it also reduces hospital pressure.
“Patients will have the benefit of staying in a top-class residential care home that is warm, welcoming, and designed in a way that mimics a traditional home, so they immediately feel comfortable in their new surroundings.”
NALHN Divisional Director Aged Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Dr Alice Bourke said, “We are proud to be the first in the state to introduce NRICH, offering a unique model of care that will improve the experience and the lives of older people in our care.
“Being able to operate the service from Healthia adds to the overall patient experience as they will be supported in an environment that allows them to regain their independence with dignity, and with the encouragement of staff who are available 24/7.
“We hope this program will also have a positive impact on bed availability and flow across our hospitals, and ensure people are in the right place for their needs.”
The additional 12 private rooms occupied by NALHN will support Care Awaiting Placement – a service that provides short-term accommodation for patients as they wait for permanent residential care. While the remaining private rooms are dedicated to permanent residential care residents.
Learn more about Healthia.