Launch of WA’s First Older Adult Health Hub
The Council on the Ageing WA (COTA WA) has welcomed the launch of Western Australia’s first Older Adult Health Hub in Cockburn, describing it as a ‘nation leading’ reform that will fundamentally improve how older people access care and support.
The Hub was officially opened by Health Minister Meredith Hammat MLA and Minister for Seniors and Aged Care Simone McGurk MLA, as part of the Cook Government’s $23.4 million investment in integrated care for older Western Australians.
COTA WA CEO Mark Kinsela said the hubs represent a significant shift towards earlier intervention, supporting older people before they reach crisis point.
These hubs are the first of their kind in Australia and position Western Australia as a national leader in how we support older people,
Mr Kinsela said.
“Our vision is simple. No older person should have to make decisions about their future care or housing in the middle of a hospital admission or health crisis. These hubs are designed to address exactly that issue.”
The Older Adult Health Hubs bring together multidisciplinary teams to provide integrated assessment and support, including falls risk screening, carer support, aged care referrals, care navigation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, specialist geriatric services and medication review.
COTA WA’s recent consultation with older Western Australians highlighted strong demand for this type of service. As Suresh (83) told COTA WA:
Too many people end up in hospital before they get help. If someone had guided them earlier, it might never have reached that point.
Mr Kinsela said the hubs directly respond to what older people have been asking for.
“This is about having a single place where older people and their families can go, sit down with someone who understands the system, and get the right help before there is a problem.”
The Cockburn site is the first of three Older Adult Health Hubs being rolled out across metropolitan Perth, with additional hubs in the north and east. The hubs are open during standard business hours and are already supporting older people to access coordinated, multidisciplinary care in the community. COTA WA congratulates the Cook Government and the Department of Health on delivering this important reform and looks forward to supporting the continued rollout of the hubs across Western Australia.
ENDS
Media contact: Mark Kinsela, CEO COTA WA
Mob: 0407 796 990
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