What is Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)
Short-term restorative care is an innovative new government-funded program that provides intensive support from a multi-disciplinary team for up to 8 weeks to help you if you are having difficulty completing everyday tasks or your mobility is starting to decline. The program aims to improve your wellbeing and independence and help you stay living in your own home for longer.
Signs that you may benefit from the STRC program might be that your walking speed has slowed down, you have trouble holding or gripping objects, you don’t seem to be able to do what you used to do, you have increased levels of exhaustion as you go about your daily activities or you are experiencing unintended weight loss. Through early intervention, the STRC program aims to reduce and where possible, reverse this functional decline, and make it easier for you to get through your day-to-day activities the way you used to.
The program works best for people who are goal oriented and have a strong desire to return to earlier levels of independence.
What services does STRC provide?
STRC can offer a wide range of services, depending on your particular needs. Examples might include:
- Aids and equipment (including mobility aids)
- Audiology, if your hearing is declining
- Chiropractic services
- Continence management
- Cooking assistance and meal preparation
- Home maintenance and/or modifications
- Nursing
- Nutrition and diet advice
- Personal care and assistance
- Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy – for example exercises to improve strength and balance
- Podiatry (foot care)
- Psychological support or counselling
- Social work
- Support services – including cleaning or laundry, medication management, emotional support
- Transport e.g. doing the shopping and attending appointments
- Accommodation in residential care
The services will be provided by a multi-disciplinary team and will include a GP or a Geriatrician as well as professionals such as registered nurses, audiologists, physiotherapists, optometrists, dieticians, occupational therapists, podiatrists or osteopaths.
You are in the driver’s seat of the care you receive
Prior to the program commencing, a Presbyterian Aged Care (PAC) representative will meet with you and have an in-depth conversation about the outcomes you are seeking. After consulting with you, and under the guidance of your GP, PAC will put together a program that’s tailored to your needs and requirements and will deliver the goals YOU want to achieve. The aim is to help you manage your day-to-day life better and reverse the difficulties you may be having with everyday tasks.
After completing the STRC program, many PAC clients experience improvements in their health, wellbeing and outlook on life, increased confidence and an enhanced ability to undertake day-to-day activities. STRC can be a great tool to help you get back to the old you!
How long is the STRC program for?
STRC is available for up to 8 weeks and can be accessed twice in any 12 month period.
How do I access STRC?
STRC is subsidised by the Australian Government. In order to be assessed for eligibility for the program you will need to register with My Aged Care. Once registered you will be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) who will check your eligibility. Once you are approved you can then choose the particular provider you want and get started. You may be asked to contribute something towards the cost of the services. Any fees will be discussed during the planning process and agreed to before the service begins.
Who is not eligible?
You are not eligible for STRC if you live permanently in an aged care home, you receive a Home Care Package, you are receiving transition care after some time in hospital, you are receiving end of life care or you have needs that go beyond what can be met by the program.
We are happy for you to call us at any time to find out more about our STRC program, how it works and how it will help you. Call us now and chat to our friendly team on 1800 722 679.