Older people

Improving the health and wellbeing of the region’s ageing population is a key priority for EMPHN.

Commissioning efforts focus on supporting, enhancing access to, and coordinating high-quality primary health care for older people - both in the community and in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs).

By assessing the health, social, and functional needs of older community members, EMPHN is working to build a sustainable, consumer-driven system that delivers greater choice, easier access, and better care.

Across the region, with our service partners, EMPHN delivered a number of programs including:

Care finder: Care finders specialise in providing intensive assistance to vulnerable older community members, helping them connect with aged care services and relevant community supports.
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI): Supports residents of Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) to receive planned, high-quality primary care from a regular general practice and GP by strengthening collaboration among RACHs, general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services to improve continuity, health outcomes and reduce avoidable hospital presentations.
Healthy Ageing Service: Support to older people with mental health issues (and their families) who are living in the community or in residential aged care facilities by providing up to six free brief intervention sessions for the older person to support needs such as alcohol and drug treatment, suicide prevention, psychosocial support, housing and physical health.