BreastScreen Victoria

Spotlight on Prostate Health

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Australia, excluding skin cancer. As men age, it's crucial to be aware of this disease, recognise its signs and symptoms, and understand the steps to take if any concerns arise. Early detection can significantly improve treatment success and lead to better long-term health outcomes. Common signs and symptoms to watch out for include:

Funding changes for pharmacyfilled medication packs

Managing multiple medications can be complex and overwhelming, with potential negative impacts on your health if not managed correctly. Some of our participants prefer to take their tablets from the original medication packaging, but many others need some help to take their medications correctly and in accordance with the doctor’s prescription. We sometimes recommend that participants consider having their medications packed by their pharmacist into a Dose Administration Aid (DAA), to add a layer of security by eliminating medication mishaps and mistakes.

Speaking up if you have a complaint

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have created a short Fact Sheet for Support at Home participants and their supporters to give you information about how to make a complaint. The Commission provide some handy advice to participants to consider before contacting their provider to discuss their concern. They recommend you write notes with details of what happened so you can be clear about your concern, and to stay calm when talking with us, even if you are frustrated or angry. In our experience, most issues can be sorted out through a respectful and honest conversation, and early intervention often leads to quicker solutions and prevents issues from escalating.

Health Spotlight on Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a common experience for many older Australians. It refers to pain that persists for more than three to six months and can arise from longterm conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or diabetes, as well as agerelated changes in a person’s muscles, bones, and joints. One of the most challenging aspects of chronic pain is its impact on daily life, which can affect mood, sleep, mobility, and reduce a person’s overall independence and enjoyment of life.

Ageism can get in the way of good care for participants

Ageism affects people of all ages, but according to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), older adults are particularly vulnerable when it comes to accessing good healthcare. According to the latest AHRC Report, older Australians say they often feel “dismissed, excluded, and stereotyped” in healthcare settings. Ageism is often described as "insidious," meaning it gradually builds over time. Subtle forms of ageism - the "little things" - can erode a person's confidence, sense of self, and self-esteem. This may include the use of ageist language, a patronising tone of voice, or directing the discussion to family members instead of the older person themselves.

What happens if a worker leaves a shift early?

If your needs change or your scheduled services are completed early, you might consider asking your support worker to leave their shift early. While this may seem straightforward, there are some important rules and processes in place to ensure that everyone is treated fairly when it comes to last-minute service or roster changes. Before requesting an early departure for the worker, consider if there are additional tasks the worker can assist with, but regardless of who initiates the early departure, it’s important for either you or the worker to contact the office before they depart. Support workers are assigned specific shifts, and their pay is based on those scheduled hours. If a worker leaves early, it can affect their pay, your funding, your out-of-pocket contributions (if any), and the overall quality of service. There is a difference between our obligations to pay our workers as employees and the way your Support at Home funding is charged for the care hours you receive, so how we respond will depend on: Our service agreement covering ‘late cancellations’ by either party

Support Plan Review process

Everyone receiving funding under the Support at Home program will be familiar with the formal Assessment Service process that took place when they were first approved for the funding level they now receive. At an individual level, we can usually adjust your care and services within your current funding level allocation to meet your changing needs, but sometimes, a person's funding is not sufficient, or they may need formal approval to use a different service type. In these circumstances, a formal Support Plan Review by the Single Assessment Service is required.

Concerns about families or supporters cancelling essential care due to out-of-pocket costs

Under the Support at Home program, participants assessed as eligible for government-subsidised funding after 12 September 2024 are now required to make personal financial contributions towards their care. For many people, especially those unaccustomed to paying for such supports, these new costs may seem daunting. And while we understand the financial strain the new contributions may cause, we are also mindful that declining or cancelling these services can place participants at risk by limiting their access to care and services that have been professionally deemed necessary for their safety, comfort, and independence.