Q&A with Jacinta Kennedy, Aged Care Coordinator at Wyndham House Clinic
Q. I’m looking at aged care services for myself or someone else. What are some things I need to consider?
First you need to register with My Aged Care. Consider the level of care needed and specific health and personal needs. It’s also essential to understand the services available for the resident and their family. Wyndham House Clinic provides care for over 200 residents across Greater Shepparton and Karinya Aged Care in Numurkah, with the added benefit of my role as Aged Care Coordinator, helping people and their families navigate this chapter and making it a smooth transition.
Q. How can an Aged Care Coordinator assist those looking at aged care?
I assist with registration, including documentation, which is often complicated and confronting, easing some of the angst caused by these requirements. I explain information, helping patients and families understand conditions, investigations, treatments, and decision-making. I also work with GPs, acting as a channel between the aged care facility, GPs, and the patient, collecting information to manage the appropriate care of residents.
Q. How does your role work in the broader scheme of aged care services?
I am able to connect people with specific aged care services that meet their needs, including Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS), Transition Care Program (TCP), Residential In-Reach (RIR) Shepparton, and many others. I assist new GPs joining our clinic who are unfamiliar with the Australian healthcare system, guiding them through working in this sector to create better outcomes. I can also facilitate telehealth reviews through the Visionflex carts, which helps reduce emergency admissions by allowing GPs to review patients face-to-face and assess them physically by monitoring vitals like pulse and blood pressure.
Q. Why do you think having a role like yours in aged care is necessary?
My role is supported by funding from Murray Primary Health Network, designed to provide support to improve outcomes for people in aged care services. My mission is to make aged care a positive experience, ensuring that the transition into care is dignified and comfortable. I have worked in aged care for 17 years and have seen and experienced the challenges of the system up close. I hope to see this role available at all GP clinics, not just Wyndham House Clinic, so that people transitioning into care feel well-supported.
