Consumer directed care (CDC) in home care packages Part 2: Information for home care package providers This is part 2 of a series of fact sheets on the implementation of CDC for home care providers.
What does CDC mean for clients from diverse groups? The Australian Government recognises that many older people seeking access to aged care services are from diverse backgrounds and that they may have different needs and preferences. One of the benefits of CDC is that assessed care needs are delivered based on a consumer’s preferences. The CDC model of care is especially beneficial for people with special needs and those from diverse groups as it places them at the very centre of the health and wellbeing process and gives them a stronger voice when working with their home care provider. Examples of diverse groups include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Under the CDC principles, providers need to be respectful of the needs of diverse groups when delivering care and support. They need to ensure that they treat diverse groups with dignity and support choices that consumers make when choosing their care and services, such as wanting to meet with LGBTI social groups or requiring translation services . Please read the below case studies to see CDC in action.
Case Study - Supporting Diversity Emily is 86 years old and is currently receiving a Level 1 home care package. Since her female partner, Joan, passed away last year, Emily has become frailer and more isolated. Emily’s friend noticed a change in Emily and expressed her concern. Emily admitted that, since Joan passed away, she hadn’t felt supported by her home care provider and was concerned with their lack of understanding and care. Emily’s friend suggested that she contact the Australian Government’s Aged Care Advocacy service to discuss her concerns. The Advocacy service was able to work through the situation with Emily and her provider and suggest a way forward. The provider researched how to best meet Emily’s needs by looking at the resources available on the Home Care Today website, which included where they were able to get LGBTI awareness training for their staff. Emily’s provider also got into contact with a state based LGBTI centre for advice on local activities that could be used by Emily to reconnect with her community. During their discussions, Emily told her case manager that she used to go swimming but had stopped going when Joan passed away. Her case manager advised there was a local swimming group called the Lavender Ladies that Emily may be interested in joining and recommended that, if she would like to go swimming again, she could add this to her home care package. Having her home care package delivered on CDC basis enabled Emily to allay some of her concerns as she is able to request specific care workers that she trusts. Emily knows that, if she becomes uncomfortable with any of the care workers, her provider will listen to her concerns and arrange new care workers.