Delivering allied health services in aged care
This section of the Toolkit provides information and resources on the delivery of allied health services to older people receiving palliative care in aged care.
The allied health team are ideally positioned to play a role in developing strategies to maintain independence and wellbeing and helping older people engage in meaningful activities as they approach end of life.
How do I know what allied health service could be needed?
ELDAC have developed a ‘whole of body’ checklist that can be used independently or with a person to check in with ‘how they are going’.
The questions have been developed to identify potential health or functional ‘red flags’ where an allied health team member could provide strategies to improve quality of life.
Finding an Allied Health Service Provider
Have you identified that you need an allied health provider as part of the health care team?
Health Direct have a free search function:
- just type ‘allied health’ in the search box and select the profession you are looking for
- add your postcode
- a list of local providers will be listed in your area.
For specialist palliative care services you can consult the National Palliative Care Service Directory or for lists of state based palliative care association you can search in Find a palliative care service provider. You can also visit the allied health regulatory and accrediting organisation sites to use discipline specific search functions.
Initiating a referral for an allied health service
Referral pathways for allied health can vary depending on whether an older adult is living:
- in their own home
- in the community, or
- in a residential aged care setting.
This will also have implications for the type of funding model that can be used. For areas where access is an issue telehealth might need to be considered.
ELDAC has also created toolkits to support the delivery of end-of-life in Home Care and also in Residential Aged Care.
For Allied Health Clinicians
The Allied Health Team page has discipline specific clinical care approaches for each profession. The guidance and research pages to help you stay up to date with best practice care.