ACAT’s and Younger People with a Disability

ACAT’s and Younger People with a Disability Matthew Humbert May 2010 ACAT CONFERENCE

Overview • To describe the manner in which WA has adopted the National Guiding Principles for the Referral and Assessment of Younger People with Disability (YPWD). • How a WA joint protocol was developed. • Impact on ACAT processes. • Outcomes evident since the introduction of the protocol.

History (in WA) – up to 2008 • ACAT’s viewed as the pathway to supported care. • Disability sector had few demonstrated tangible options. • ACAT’s traditionally accepted referrals to assess YPWD. • High degree of case management required in order to investigate all possible options.

Background Aged Care Assessment and Approval Guidelines 2006 state [YPWD are able to access aged care services only where there are no other care facilities or care services more appropriate to meet the person’s needs]. 2008 – Commonwealth release of National Guiding Principles for the Referral and Assessment of Younger People with Disability.

Development • Dec 2008 DoH W.A. released initial localised guidelines for ACAT’s and YPWD in line with National Guiding Principles. • Review and redevelopment of document. • July 2009 joint protocol between disability sector and DoH W.A. released.

Referrals accepted by ACAT’s for YPWD over time (prior to current protocol).- Use of the data - Data source – University of Western Australia – Evaluation Unit – ACAT Annual Reports

Outcomes from data • YPWD make up approximately 4% of the total number of accepted referrals to ACAT in WA on an annual basis. Drilled down to find: • The number of people approved. • Ages. • Health conditions. • What level of approval people were granted. Conclusion • A number of people who were potentially eligible for disability services had been assessed and approved for aged care services.

Negotiation outcomes • Joint Protocol to Guide the Assessment and Support of Younger People with a Disability. • Creation of new position at Disability Services Commission – Disability Aged Care Coordinator. • If Disability Services Commission is unable to assist they will provide case specific documentation which satisfies the National Guiding Principles.

Purpose of the Protocol: To ensure that the Disability Service Commission and Aged Care Assessment Teams collaborate in planning the support of people in the target group who are seeking Commonwealth funded aged care services or who are inappropriately placed in residential aged care facilities.

Protocol definition of younger person • Any non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person under the age of 65. • Any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person under the age of 45.

DSC Target Group To be eligible for specialist disability services that are either provided or funded by the Disability Services Commission, a person must be a permanent Australian resident living in Western Australia and meet the following: • Age – less than 65 years (or under the age of 45 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) when the disability manifests. • Diagnostic Group – having an intellectual; sensory; physical; neurological or cognitive impairment or a combination of those impairments. • Permanency – the disability is permanent or likely to be permanent. • Adaptive Functioning – having a substantially reduced capacity for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and have an ongoing need for support services.

Younger People who are outside the target group and may be referred to ACAT • People who require palliative care • People who have a primary psychiatric disability. • People who have an early onset Dementia type illness and who require specialist dementia programs or services (secure accommodation).

How it works YPWD referred to DACC All assessment info provided Incl consent form. Person not eligible for disability services. Out of scope Refer to ACAT Person is eligible for Disability services Information gathered Option explored YPWD referred to an option available in the disability sector No option available

No option available Referral discussed internally with Disability Services Funding application is prepared and submitted Awaiting outcome Referral source supplied information to be able to demonstrate to ACAT that no other option available. ACAT advises Disability Services of outcome so that ongoing planning and review can occur.

Outcomes to date • People now direct referrals for YPWD to the Disability Services Commission rather than to ACAT. • ACAT’s are able to better focus upon core business. • Acknowledgement by disability stakeholders that there was a number of people who were eligible for services that were not being picked up. • As a result of the protocol the Disability Services Commission has been able to divert a number of YPWD from accessing aged care services.

Outcomes continued • ACAT’s have gained a better understanding of the WA disability system. • Through the interpretation of data we have gained a better understanding of the numbers of YPWD that were being approved for aged care services. • Most referrals for YPWD come from the acute sector and are for people with significant nursing/care needs. • Change needs to be negotiated and agencies need to work together to effect change.

Thank You Matthew Humbert Senior Project Officer – ACAP Aged Care Policy 189 Royal st East Perth WA 6004 matthew.humbert@health.wa.gov.au Ph - (08) 9222 4251 Fax - (08) 9222 2192

ACAT’s and Younger People with a Disability