Source: Multiple Sclerosis Limited (NSW/VIC)

MEDIA RELEASE

Strictly Embargoed for Release

3 June 2008
 
PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO PREVENT PREMATURE PLACEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES

A pilot program to be launched in Victoria today will address the burgeoning national issue which sees young Australians living with progressive neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis being prematurely housed in aged care nursing facilities.

Rob Hudson MP will launch the 14-month Continuous Care program, which has been funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services my future my choice scheme. The first of its kind program developed by MS Australia in conjunction with other groups in the disability sector will establish a framework for the continuous management of young people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The framework will identify and introduce early intervention methods of care such as comprehensive case coordination and clinical management to prevent young people from being placed in nursing homes.
 
Mr Hudson said “The State Government will contribute $245,000 over the next 15 months to this most important project as part of the $233.4 million investment announced in the State Budget last month. This is the biggest single investment in disability services in Victoria and will help to ensure that people living with multiple sclerosis get the support they need to participate in the wider community.”

Alan Blackwood, Manager, Policy and Community Partnerships MS Australia said “There are currently over 1000 people under the age of 50 inappropriately housed in aged care facilities across Australia.

“People with progressive neurological conditions are at particular risk of premature nursing home entry if the system cannot meet their changing care needs. This program will introduce the tools needed at an early stage to support people living with MS and their families by focusing on getting different parts of the system to form a partnership of care and manage the changes as they occur.

“Where we can make the system fit the needs of these people to support them in the community, we must. Too often the reverse is true, and it is the failure of the system to deal with complex situations that results in people going into nursing homes,” he said.

Wayne Cross was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago and as a sole parent raising two teenage children he says a program such as this is essential to ensure that he can remain living at home with his children.

“As someone living with MS I have experienced first hand the way that a diagnosis of a neurological disease can place extraordinary stresses not only upon the person diagnosed but also on their family. The fact is that living with any neurological disease requires support mechanisms, which extend beyond family and friends. The disparate nature of existing support services are both confusing and varied depending on your postcode. The pressure this places on families of those striving to live independently often leads to unnecessary admissions into full-time care facilities.”

“Younger people who have a debilitating illness should not have to contend with navigating a mostly ad-hoc, overly complex community care system or face having to leave their family and friends to live in a nursing home,” he said. 

Mr Cross will take part in the pilot program along with 20 other people who are under the age of 50, have been diagnosed with a progressive neurological condition and face the concept of being inappropriately housed in an aged care nursing facility.

The Continuous Care program is a partnership between the MS Society and Calvary Health Care Bethlehem (the hospital providing the clinical care component of the project). The results of the program will be compiled to form recommendations for a national roll out of Continuous Care programs across Australia.
    
END  

Continuous Care Launch
Tuesday, 3rd June, 2008 @1pm
Yarra Yarra Golf Club
567 Warrigal Rd
Bentleigh East (Melway reference 78: C4)

For further information please contact:

Alan Blackwood
Manager, Policy and Community Partnerships
MS Australia
Ph: (03) 9845 2700

Kate McEvoy
0424 649 148

ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disease of the central nervous system among young Australians aged 20 to 40. There are 18,000 Australians living with MS and five people are diagnosed with the disease every working day. The average age of diagnosis is 30 and three times as many women as men are affected. Common symptoms include loss of coordination, speech difficulties, blurred or double vision, numbness, pins and needles and extreme tiredness. There is no known cure for MS.
www.msaustralia.org.au