The Australian Government is providing $1.3 million to Beechworth Health Service to roll out and evaluate a tool that improves care planning for older Australians across what matters to them, medications, mobility and mental health.
The Indigo 4Ms tool – which was co-designed with local communities and health and aged care stakeholders – will be rolled out to six rural health services across north-east Victoria, along with training to primary care clinicians on how to use it.
The tool provides structure to the care of older people, ensuring that health care professionals:
• understand and act on a person’s values, priorities, goals and care preferences
• screen for high-risk medications and prescribe medicines effectively
• support patients to stay mobile and take part in physical activity that suits their ability
• assess and ensure adequate hydration, nutrition and sleep
• screen, assess and manage vision, hearing, incontinence, cognitive decline and depression.
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