Community based care reaches new heights for older people in Moreton Bay
The Older Persons Assessment and Rehabilitation Service at Kallangur aims to help older people recover from illness and live well with aged-related medical conditions.
A unique new service to support older persons with aged-related medical conditions and to improve personal capabilities has opened at the Kallangur Satellite Hospital.
The Older Persons Assessment and Rehabilitation Service (OPARS) aims to improve people’s wellbeing, functional capacity, independence and quality of life after a significant health event or injury.
Community and Oral Health Allied Health Team Leader Leanne Carroll said Moreton Bay was one of the South East’s fastest growing communities, and it was important to keep pace with community needs.
“The OPARS service aims to support the aging population in the region, but also take pressure off our health system and give older persons another choice to access high quality care closer to home,” Leanne said.
“The service provides rehabilitation care for patients 65-years and older (or older than 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) with rapid assessment, care pathway planning and rehabilitation.
“OPARS is for older people experiencing an aged-related health condition who would benefit from reconditioning or rehabilitation.
“It delivers one on one appointments and group therapy to promote healthy ageing, falls prevention, lifestyle improvements and pain management.”
OPARS is open to older persons via GP referral to Australian residents in Bray Park, Brendale, Cashmere, Dakabin, Dayboro, Eatons Hill, Griffin, Kallangur, Kobble Creek, Lacey’s Creek, Lawnton, Mount Samson, Murrumba Downs, Petrie, Samson Vale and Strathpine.
“Our service is designed to help older persons in the region avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and support them to live independently in the community,” Leanne said.
“The older persons service is driven by a multidisciplinary team which includes clinicians with a special interest in rehabilitation and the health of older people.
“The team includes a rehabilitation medical specialist and a range of allied health professions in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, social work and dietetics.”
OPARS can be accessed by a referral via GPs or a hospital, phone 3285 0066 (7 days a week) to speak to an intake clinician who can assist with organising an assessment.
OPARS is delivered at the Kallangur Satellite Hospital and has its own rehabilitation gym.