VMCH (Villa Maria Catholic Homes) has secured $192,000 worth of grants to introduce telehealth services to residents at eight of its aged care homes in Victoria.
The federal Department of Health initiative was in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which highlighted inequities in access to care among aged care residents, especially after hours and for specialist services.
Telehealth – which involves remote consultations with healthcare providers via video calls – has become a popular form of accessing healthcare over the past few years.
VMCH chief operating officer David Williamson says for aged care residents, access is particularly important.
“Telehealth will provide timely and early medical assessment and treatment, allowing residents to stay in the comfort of their home, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and the flow on impact on emergency services,” Mr Williamson said.
Residents can use telehealth independently, however training is being rolled out for staff, should residents need support.
Sash Pokharel, care manager at VMCH Wantirna, describes telehealth as a “game changer”.
“It creates a stress-free environment that residents feel comfortable with, and no longer must leave the comfort of their home to be assessed or have a clinical observation/diagnosis. Everything is there at your fingertips.”
Meanwhile, VMCH is pleased to be involved in another innovative health initiative for residents being rolled out across four of its aged care homes.
The Victorian Department of Health is leading a clinical trial, installing Germicidal Ultraviolet Lights into the ceilings or walls in 100 residential aged care homes to see if it is successful in reducing the transmission of the flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses.
Germicidal UV lighting has been used in hospitals for many years to reduce the spread of disease.
The lights have been installed in four VMCH aged care homes, with a further five acting as a control group. They are expected to be turned on in September, once all participating organisations have lighting installed.
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Health initiatives to improve the wellbeing of aged care residents (VMCH)
