Rehabilitation & Aged Care

Services We Offer

The Department of Rehabilitation & Aged Care provides comprehensive clinical, medical and rehabilitation services.

These services are provided in the form of acute medical treatment for inpatients and rehabilitation, inclusive of physiotherapy, occupations therapy, speech therapy, consultative assessment of both inpatients and community based patients. Medical consultation is provided for ward based inpatients, community based patients, day hospital outpatients, support services in the community, residential care assessment in hospital, home and residential communities, and outpatient specialised clinics for the assessment of and treatment of falls, continence and memory problems in the elderly.

Department Contact Details

Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital – C Block
Hospital Avenue
NEDLANDS WA 6009

Phone: 61 8 9346 2644
Fax: 61 8 9346 4966

Mission Statement

We are here to provide the best possible resources/facilities for the assessment, rehabilitation and treatment of both inpatients and patients in the community, whilst maintaining optimum quality of life and to facilitate continuous training, education and research for students, staff and the community in Geriatric Medicine.

Strategic Goals

enable patients to achieve an optimal level of physical, mental and social function
provide the highest possible quality of care by medical, nursing and allied health staff
provide an optimal learning experience for all staff in principles of restorative/rehabilitative care
educate the community on internal and extended care services provided by the department
develop closer working relationships with internal and external service providers directly linked in the care of the elderly
continually develop expertise and knowledge of staff members
promote teamwork and sense of common purpose in patient care
develop initiatives for a better service to the hospital and its patients
encourage and promote productive clinical research

Inpatient Clinical Services

The Department of Rehabilitation & Aged Care at SCGH is a 60 bed geriatric medical unit providing a comprehensive geriatric service to the elderly in the form of acute medical treatment, rehabilitation and consultative assessment including psychogeriatric, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social assessment, medical consultation, domiciliary consultation, and residential care assessment. Patients are admitted into the ward either from other hospital wards within the hospital or direct from the community and/or emergency department. The department relies on contact with the patient’s general practitioner for continuity of care.

Community Based Services

The Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care is involved in conducting community based assessment and will help clients make any necessary arrangements for ongoing care, whether this includes a full medical assessment, provision of home aids, mobility aids, home help, domiciliary nursing, or assessment for residential or respite care. Staff involved in conducting a ‘home visit’ can include a geriatrician, community nurse, social work, and/or occupational therapist.

The postcode areas we cover for community based patients are:

6005
6007
6008
6009
6010
6011
6012
6014
6015
6016
6017
6018
6019
6029
6060

If you are not located in any of the above postcodes, please contact our department on 61 8 9346 2644 and we will advise you of another geriatric service that you can contact.

Referrals to the department from the community are usually made via the patient’s general practitioner.

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

The ACAT is a Commonwealth government initiative which subsidises the operation of geriatric units in the assessment of the aged. This funding subsidises various positions within the department. The ACAT programme is fully integrated within the Department of Rehabilitation & Aged Care and ensures a comprehensive and continuous service to the elderly.

Psychogeriatrics

Psychogeriatrics involves the medical management of elderly patients suffering from psychiatric illness and/or behavioural problems associated with dementia. Referral to the psychogeriatric service can be made via the Department of Rehabilitation & Aged Care.

Social Work

The aim of Social Work in DRAC is to assist patients and families deal with the impact of illness and hospitalisation and to achieve optimum benefit from health care services. In addition to counselling and advocacy skills Social Workers have up to date knowledge regarding community services and residential care facilities. DRAC Social Workers provide services to inpatients and community patients as follows:

Inpatients

psychosocial assessment, family meetings, assistance to arrange nursing home or hostel care
arranging community services on discharge, information and support for patients and carers
follow-up after discharge when needed.
information/assistance with enduring power of attorney and guardianships and administration matters, assistance with other social issues eg. financial, accommodation, legal.

Community Patients

home assessment by social worker alone or with doctor, community nurse or occupational therapist
Advise and assistance with planning ongoing care for patients and addressing the needs of carers
ACAT approval for residential care and community care packages

Further information can be obtained by contacting the on call social worker in the Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care on 61 8 9346 2644 Page 4145.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an important component of the services provided throughout the Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care. Services are provided to inpatients of wards C14 and C16 and to outpatients through the Day hospital. A post acute service is provided in the home through Home Link.

The problems our physiotherapists may address include:

Reducing musculoskeletal pain
Improving joint movement and function following surgery, fracture or other orthopaedic condition
Improving balance and reducing the risk of falls
Improving a person's mobility (such as getting in and out of bed, off and on a chair and walking) so that they can regain or maintain independence
Improving walking and providing the necessary aids
Working with other team members as well as you and your family to plan a safe, timely discharge

Most inpatients will attend the physiotherapy department daily for a thorough yet enjoyable session that is tailor made for their needs, and which aims to get them independent as soon as possible.

Patients attending the Day hospital will usually attend once or twice a week, with a home programme designed for their needs.

The Day Hospital Physiotherapy service provides many services including:

Falls and balance class
Hydrotherapy
Individual treatment
Group treatment

Referrals to the day hospital physiotherapist can be made via your general practitioner.

Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist aims to maximise independence and safety in the home and in the community. The focus of assessment and treatment is activities of daily living (personal care, home management and community tasks).

Occupational Therapy provides the following range of service:

Assessment and retraining in a range of self care activities, eg. Showering, dressing, grooming and eating.
Assessment and retraining in meal preparation, laundry and other household skills.
Assessment and treatment of neurological, cognitive, sensory, perceptual deficits that affect functional performance.
Assessment and treatment of the hand and upper limb for prevention of dysfunction and restoration of maximum functional use.
Assessment to determine ability of the patient to live at home, in a hostel or nursing home and identify community supports that will assist a return to community living.
Assessment of the home environment to determine need for services, specialised equipment and /or home modifications.
Education on work simplification, energy conservation, joint protection, back care and falls prevention

Speech Pathology

Speech Pathology provides a comprehensive service for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, education and support of people with a communication and swallowing disability. Communication disabilities result from problems with speech, using or understanding language, voice, fluency, hearing, reading or writing, memory or complex explanation and reasoning. Speech pathologists also work with people who have difficulties eating and drinking. The Speech Pathology department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital see adults with acquired communication and swallowing problems. They work as part of the health team to promote the return of maximal or independent communication and swallowing function.

A typical workload may include:

Assessment and rehabilitation of comprehension skills following stroke.
Rehabilitation of verbal expression following a head injury
Support and education of nursing home staff on communication strategies for residents with dementia
Restoration of louder and clearer speech in a person with Parkinson’s disease
Rehabilitation of eating and drinking following a stroke.

Day Hospital Outpatient Specialist Clinic

The day hospital is a specialised outpatient clinic in the Department of Rehabilitation & Aged Care that focuses on the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of older patients. Older patients often have unique medical problems that require a coordinated approach, by health professionals, experienced in working with older patients.

Services Offered:

Medical Appointments – patients are reviewed by the Geriatrician
Rehabilitation – treatment to assist mobility and daily activities
Equipment Prescription – to assist mobility and daily activities.
Falls Balance & Fracture Clinic - the falls clinic provides detailed assessment and recommendations for older people who have experienced a fall or are at risk of falling. Staff attending the falls clinic includes geriatrician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and clinical nurse.
Continence Clinic – the continence clinic provides detailed assessment and treatment for people with bladder or bowel control difficulties. The continence adviser is a specialist clinical nurse experienced in advising older people with bladder or bowel control difficulties
Memory Clinic – the memory clinic provides detailed assessment and treatment for people who may be experiencing difficulties with their memory. The clinical psychologist provides a specialised service for clients referred to the memory clinic.

Your general practitioner can refer you to any of the Day Hospital specialist clinics.