Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology
for In-Home Aged Care (geat2GO)
Currently access to aids and equipment to support independence and keep us safe is available through Home Care Packages (HCP) or Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). With a Self Managed HCP you have choices - choice of equipment, Occupational Therapists and most importantly priorities - how urgently it is needed and allocation of required funding. This is changing.
One of the proposals for the new Aged Care legislation is that all aids and equipment will be supplied from one national Provider. An official explanation from the person in charge of this branch of the Department of Health and Aged Care, to quote:-
"It is proposed that Goods Equipment and Home modifications (GEAT) be funded and accessed under a separate scheme, that will not come out of the assessed ongoing services budget. The government is considering access through loan schemes as well as purchases, and is looking to include more expensive bespoke equipment for those who need it. Under the scheme, some equipment and home modifications would require a specialist, like an Occupational Therapist, to do a follow-up assessment, while simple equipment may be approved during an assessment. Some low level items might be funded through reimbursement, but this has not yet been decided for the new system. "
If HCPs are to be bundled into what is basically a “one size fits all” situation regarding the needs for vital equipment – including aids that concern safety – then it will cause untold distress for many as current proposals do not appear as yet to show full comprehension of individual circumstances and how important that is.
The national GEAT provider will supply, install and maintain a full range of Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technologies to clients wherever they reside in Australia. The national GEAT provider is Indigo Australasia who will provide national GEAT under the outlet name Australian GEAT2GO .
The system became operational for CHSP clients on 16 August 2021.
Assistive technology and home modifications under reformed in-home aged care
Department of Health & Aged Care December 2022
February 2023 : My doctor referred me for a HCP because I need help in and out of the home. The lady who came to do the assessment (within a couple weeks!) was lovely and very very understanding, helpful and empathetic. One thing I "need" is a suitable outdoor walker because I walk everywhere, it is my only means of getting anywhere, shops etc. The one I have is not suitable ( basic indoor type) because the wheels catch on small bumps and vibrates through my hands and arms (arthritis in my hands, arms, shoulders) so She suggested I get CHSP in the interim while waiting for my HCP. That way (in theory) I can get my walker before my HCP!
What is actually happening ...
Step1. Get a code (allocated by Aged Care). I then googled, researched and decided what was suitable for my needs.
Step2. Find a approved healthcare worker to order the item, my physio, who took my information, cutting into time spent treating me (he had no idea, not his fault) and when he got back to the office had to use his valuable time to access the portal, find the walker then put in an application. He then had to send someone to my place for a signature as apparently 'I' have to sign consent!
Step3. I rang GEAT2GO to find out what happens next and they needed my consent!!! So she took it over the phone verbally.
The next steps are what she told me will happen. She said it will take up to 8 weeks for delivery.
Step4. GEAT2GO to send the order to one of their suppliers.
Step5. The supplier sends the walker (via post) to me!
Step6. (on advice from lady at GEAT2GO. I need to ask my physio to help me assemble the walker. From getting code to ordering (OK I accept Christmas/NewYear break in here) 2 months. Now until delivery, possibly 8 weeks. THIS (apparently) is how we will access items we NEED in the future????
UPDATE February 13th 2023 I rang GEAT2go and was told. The order is "open" (not picked up, as in no supplier has accepted it) . NO idea when that will happen. NO idea how long. OH and my FAVORITE? " We apologize but we are very busy with lots of orders at the moment".!!!!! I asked him how they will cope when thousands of people are shifted to using their company next year when government moves Age Care recipients to them? He said he doesn't know about that. SL
A Current geat2GO experience from a client.
News, Submissions and Commentary
In Home Aged Care: stuff you need
CPSA 12 March 2023
I hope this is not we have to look forward to with the proposed new system. Their proposals for assistance equipment seem unworkable. Having attended the webinars, it is disturbing to hear they actually admit they have no idea how they can make it work. My fear is that with the new system we will end up with another nightmare that is more useless than the mess we have now. If they would listen to us and stop every man and his dog helping themselves to our funding, they might just find we have good ideas and they will save money. PS
"Older people have expressed their belief that the aged care workforce requires substantial capacity building to ensure the categories of AT are not used as a ‘shopping list’ for a ‘one size fits all’ approach. They consider that professional development education is required for prescribers, suppliers and users of AT and that this should be co-designed with and co-delivered with older people who use AT.
They strongly support the scheme having sufficient individualisation and flexibility to cater for age-related needs, disability-related needs and health-related needs. They have cited many examples of rigid compliance with rules from a workforce that does not allow for the individual needs of an older person to be assessed, does not consider that older people are experts in their own lives and in some instances promoting specific services or equipment without consulting the person. The case studies in this submission provide many examples of the consequences this approach."
This situation is just awful .. money from package has to be used to get a report and then waiting and no one asks the individual for there input when you need equipment you need it not three months later.. it is such a disrespectful system. HB
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