Older Persons Health

We work to support partnerships between general practice, RACFs, pharmacists, allied health professionals, hospitals and community health care providers to improve the coordination of health services for older community members in our region.

About our programs

The PHN’s annual Health Needs Assessment aims to identify service gaps in the aged care sector, and consider locally-relevant, person-centred service design. We consult with a broad range of consumers, carers and aged care service providers. We work in partnership to develop and implement locally based activities to improve access to Primary Health care for older residents living in the community. https://www.ourphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/200604-HNA-2019-20.pdf

Find previous PHN RACF newsletters and updates here

Advanced Care Planning

Elder Abuse

Frail older persons program

Queenslanders are now living longer with multiple comorbidities. This has seen more presentations to emergency departments and subsequent inpatient admissions. The increase of frail older persons presenting to hospital poses a significant challenge for Queensland Health to provide appropriate and safe care. Queensland Health’s Frail Older Persons program will optimise the care provided to this group.

Mental Health services in Residential Aged Care Facilities

The PHN is funding mental health services for people living in participating residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Program services will promote better mental health outcomes for residents living with mild to moderate mental illness. Services will be available in RACFs that register their interest in offering the program; to register their interest, RACFs can contact the service provider in their area directly (see below for details). The program is currently funded until 30 June 2022.

To be eligible for this program, the individual must:

be a resident of a registered RACF; and
have mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness, or
be at risk of developing a diagnosable mental illness over the following 12 months

The program is delivered by Lifespan Health (Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions) and Lutheran Services (Wide Bay and Central Queensland regions). Referrals are to be sent directly to providers via email:

Lifespan Health – referrals@lifespanhealth.com.au
Lutheran Services – intake@lutheranservices.org.au

Referral forms can be found in Word format on our Referral Template page under the relevant region.

Restorative Care/ Wellness

Falls prevention

Every day, 133 older Queenslanders have a fall requiring medical attention, even though falls are mostly preventable. Falls have a big impact on mobility and independence, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.

The stay on your feet website provides information about how we can all work together to help Queenslanders stay healthy, active, independent and on their feet. This site is for seniors and anyone who works with seniors, including individuals, organisations, health professionals in hospitals and the community, aged care facilities, local councils, government departments, and the fitness industry.

Active at Home

Active at Home is an affordable, simple strength and balance exercise program delivered by In Home Personal Care Workers to help older people maintain mobility and confidence on their feet. The program can be funded through a clients aged care package and the low cost makes it a sustainable option for long term outcomes.

Active at Home is an evidence-based program and aligns with national aged care reforms. A trial of the program showed a significant difference (up to 20%) to client’s physical performance. This type of improvement can mean the difference between remaining physically independent and requiring more care. More information about the active at home program can be found here .

The PHN supports Arcare to deliver the active at home program in the Sunshine Coast region. If you are over 65 (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over 50) community member and interested in finding out how you can access the active at home program, please contact Arcare. If you are a home care service provider and are interested in delivering the active at home service in your area, please contact mbell@ourphn.org.au.