Abstract:
To assist the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (established October 2018), this report provides an overview and analysis of integrated models of care for older people, as they relate to health care, social care, and housing or accommodation in Australia. Background and method Integrated care is a nebulous term that can mean different things to different people. Fundamentally it refers to strategies aimed at overcoming fragmentation between different services and sectors as a way of improving the health and wellbeing of clients, client satisfaction with services, and the efficiency and long-term sustainability of health and aged care systems. Proponents of integrated care posit that fragmentation causes system inefficiency, poorer health and well-being outcomes, and poorer experiences for clients and professionals. Proponents also consider better integration of care fundamental to providing person-centred care, where clients and carers are empowered to take the lead in the provision of their own care in accordance with their own needs and preferences. In addition to a focus on individual clients, integrated care also encompasses strategies for improving care for communities. Community-focused integrated care aims to addressing broader determinants of health and wellbeing, including the pathways of service access, service availability, and the webs of reciprocal support. Our method for this study comprised three steps: First, a rapid review of scholarly literature reviews on integrated models of care for older people. Second, a desktop review of grey and academic literature, to identify and evaluate existing models and related policy. Third, we held consultations with key experts and providers of integrated care in Australia. This method does not provide an exhaustive list of all integrated models of care for older people in Australia. Rather, it facilitates a discussion and analysis of current practices and the potential for further innovations and developments
