Development of a self‐sustaining speech pathology service for residents in rural aged care facilities

Abstract

Objective: The literature suggests that approximately 90% of residents in aged care facilities have communication difficulties and between 40 and 60% of residents experience dysphasia. The ability of residents to attend outpatient clinics or private consultation, especially in a rural setting, is severely restricted. In an attempt to address this service gap a speech pathology service for residents in rural aged care facilities was developed and trialed over a 12‐month period. Method: Thirty aged care facilities in the Northern Rivers Area of New South Wales (NSW) agreed to participate in the trial. Results and Conclusion: An analysis of the first 9 months of data collected showed 331 resident consultations, 94 general practitioner (GP) consultations, and 111 education sessions showed that the quality of life of residents was greatly improved. As well, the skills, knowledge and the overall provision of service provided by GPs, nursing and allied health staff to residents of aged care facilities was greatly enhanced. The speech pathology service also proved to be financially self‐sustainable and was able to generate income for: (i) GPs through improved access to Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) funding; and (ii) aged care facilities through significant movements within the Resident Classification Scale.