A new approach to the assessment of aged community service users

This paper was written in response to the recognition of problems with multiple assessment of frail aged clients wishing to access various rural community services. Primarily under the Home and Community Care program, these offer a range of services with the aim of maintaining independence and preventing premature admission into long‐term residential care. To gain access, each service conducts an assessment—some of which have been shown to be lengthy and detailed, with some bordering on invasion of privacy. Research has shown that multiple assessment of clients by multiple agencies can be threatening to the client and can give them the feeling they are being judged. Further, there appears to be poor coordination and liaison between service agencies which exacerbates the problems inherent in multiple assessment, and provides an avenue for overservicing. This paper presents a solution to these problems. A pilot project is foreshadowed whereby the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) undertakes all assessments and enters the details into a communal database for access by all care providers via computer network. The paper suggests that such a multiscreen database with service provider access codes to ensure confidentiality would markedly reduce client stress. It is shown that community service administrative costs would be reduced enabling funds to be directed to actual field hours. Some redefining of staff roles and redeployment of staff would be necessary and these issues are discussed. The writer recognises that the proposal is somewhat idealistic. However it does address some significant problems with the current methods of client assessment. Potential solutions are offered and may provide a useful basis for future development.