Elderly Care Doctor Tuggeranong – Greenway Medical Centre
Bulk Billing Doctors Kambah, Wanniassa, Isabella Plains, Gordon, Conder
The elderly care services provided by the doctors at Greenway Medical Centre can assist in maintaining and managing the varied and often complex needs of older people.
As primary care providers, general practitioners are well placed in providing both personalised care and access to specialised medical support.
Our doctors understand that maintaining physical and mental health as we age is essential to our overall quality of life and as such aim to provide continuity of care for all clients.
Comprehensive Holistic Care
Health from a holistic perspective takes into account all aspects of general health and wellbeing. Your GP is uniquely positioned as the point from which to offer care in this manner as they not only understand your medical history and current medical condition but have access to other services, specialists and health providers.
By offering medical care that encompasses mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, a greater impact can be made on someone’s overall quality of life.
Annual Health Assessments
The Australian Government has introduced an annual health assessment for people aged 75 years and over. This provides a structured approach to help identify any conditions or health issues that are new or have changed. Once again this is to help ensure an improved quality of life through the prevention or intervention of disease and illness.
Some of the areas of a health assessment include;
- looking at your medical history and current health issues
- the organising of examinations and investigations
- looking at specific components such as blood pressure, immunisation, medication, physical and psychological function
- following up any health problems found and recommending interventions
- offering advice and information such as lifestyle choices
The doctor may also look at nutritional or general health needs or offer direction towards community services and social organisations.
Medication Reviews
A regular check of medications can be undertaken by your doctor annually or when required, such as when changes are made, or medicines are started or ceased.
Keeping an up to date list of medicines will assist your doctor in the review process and the creation of a medication management plan where applicable. A medicines list can keep track of what each medicine is for, the dosage, when it is to be taken and how each medicine is used.
By having medication well organised and up to date, side effects and other problems can be avoided and will contribute in some way to improved health and well being.
Joint Aspiration And Steroid Injection For Pain Management
Left untreated aches and discomfort can become chronic, which is pain that persists beyond three months. When conditions such as joint pain, stiffness and inflammation are chronic, they can disrupt our daily activity.
Rather than put these aches down to ageing and endure the pain, there are ways in which to assess, diagnose, treat and manage the underlying issues. This may involve physical therapy or where applicable a procedure.
These procedures may involve either joint aspiration, where the excess joint fluid is removed or a steroid injection for longer-lasting relief of pain and swelling.
Your doctor will be able to work with you in helping to determine the best course of action, and whether specialist or allied health would be beneficial.
Some Useful Links Relating To Aged Care
It can be difficult sometimes to find the right information relating to elderly care and health so we hope that these links will be in some way helpful.
My Aged Care – https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/
This website provides a great starting point to access Australian Government-funded aged care services. The phone line and website are there to assist with the age care options that are available and make it easier to access those services.
Public Trustee and Guardian (ACT) – https://www.ptg.act.gov.au/
This site provides a permanent and secure Trustee, Guardianship and Administration service to the Australian Capital Territory community. It covers assistance with wills, estates, trusts, guardianship, financial management, enduring powers of attorney and various other resources.
Carers Association of the ACT – https://www.carersact.org.au/
Carer Gateway provides a range of services and support delivered both in-person and online. They can assist in finding services that are available in your region, including in-home services, home care package coordination, and where eligible provide goods, equipment and assistive technology. They can also assist with counselling, self-guided coaching, skills courses and connecting with other carers.
ACT Seniors Information – https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/wac/seniors
A government website which provides a gateway for ACT seniors related information. The directory contains support services, work and social organisations, finances, volunteering and local clubs. There is also a list of housing and accommodation as well as transport and mobility.
Dementia Australia – https://www.dementia.org.au/
Information, education and the latest on research related to dementia. Dementia Australia aims to support and empower the roughly half a million Australians living with dementia and almost three times that amount who are involved in their care.
Department of Veterans Affairs – https://www.dva.gov.au/
In support of those who serve or have served in defence of our nation, and their families.
The government programs delivered vary from financial support and health care to rehabilitation, mental health care, home care assistance and help with housing.
The doctors can also provide more specific information and resources relating to any health queries or concerns you encounter and are happy to discuss within a consultation.
To find out more about the services provided by Greenway Medical Centre or to make an appointment, please contact our friendly reception staff.