Community Rehabilitation Centre
Physiotherapy
Podiatry
Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology
Dietetics
District Nursing Service
General District Nursing
Palliative Care
Post Acute Care
Social Work & Counselling Services
Adult Day Service
Continence
Early Intervention
Other services available
Contact details
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Community Rehabilitation Centre The Community Rehabilitation Centre (formerly known as the Day Therapy Centre), provides interdisciplinary rehabilitation services and community care to the shires of Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Goldfields. People can attend for specialised programs or individual treatment provided by a range of health practitioners. A small fee applies. Referrals are accepted from Rehabilitation or Acute units, General Practitioners, Health Professionals, other health facilities, self or family.
For further information about the Community Rehabilitation Centre contact:
Physiotherapists assist people suffering from musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. They use a range of techniques including manipulation, mobilisation, electrotherapy and exercise to correct muscle imbalance and restore normal function. Physiotherapists work in areas such as sports, rehabilitation, pregnancy and paediatrics. Podiatrists deal with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of foot and leg conditions. This is relevant to all age groups and may include such things as bunions, corns, ingrown toenails, sports injuries and flat feet. A podiatrist can offer advice on how to look after your feet and may prescribe special footwear or insoles to assist leg and foot movement. Occupational Therapists (O.T.'s) help people of all ages to achieve satisfaction with their daily living activities of leisure, work or independence. O.T.'s assist people in the development of the skills and resources to cope better with daily life, despite illness or disability. This can include innovative ways of doing things, ways to make the environment safer, aids and equipment advice. Driving Assessments. Therapy may be offered individually or in groups. Speech Pathologists help people of all ages to improve their communication by working on language development, voice, fluency and hearing problems. Communication difficulties may develop following surgery, strokes, head injuries or some other kind of trauma. Speech Pathologists work with both children and adults who have difficulties swallowing food and drink. Dietitians help people by developing appropriate eating plans and providing practical assistance for making changes to their diet and lifestyle. Dietitians can help people of all ages with eating problems due to illness or other physical, social or emotional reasons. There is a suite of services that are included under the banner of the District Nursing Services. Included are General District Nursing, Palliative Care and Post Acute Care The State and Commonwealth governments fund the majority of home nursing through the Home and Community Care (HACC) funding. The aim is to provide quality nursing for people in their own homes, delivered by experienced Registered Nurses. Typical interventions include:
Currently there are a total of nine nurses who provide individualized nursing care to patients across most of the catchment area of the local shire. In addition, the service provides placement of medical, nursing and pharmacy students throughout the year. Treatment plans are discussed and negotiated with each patient, and designed to facilitate optimal outcomes. Some of our District Nursing staff:
Fees The World Health Organisation defines Palliative Care as "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual". It is acknowledged that palliative care is provided by nearly all health services - GP, hospital, community & home services, and many family and friends. When more expertise is needed for complex symptoms and situations, the Palliative care Service should be the next point of referral. Nurses with specific training and knowledge in Palliative Care now provide the Specialist Palliative Care Service to residents of the Mount Alexander Shire, maintaining a consultancy role in patient care. This has required changes, including re-structure of staffing and arrangements for after-hours support, while providing better coordination and continuity of care. The service is still managed by the Castlemaine Health as one of the community nursing programs.
Palliative Care Support Service As the average length of stay in hospital is often shorter than it used to be, patients may be discharged from hospital and still require support during recovery. PAC includes the management and provision of short term planned care for patients with complex needs during their recovery from an episode of acute illness or injury. Typical support may include:
Eligibility is determined on needs, and only for patients discharged from a public hospital. PAC provides additional (NOT substitute) health and community services to suit individual needs, usually between 2 and 4 weeks. As PAC is government funded, there is no cost for the additional support that may be required for the short period following discharge from hospital. However, it does not include the cost of services in place before admission to hospital, or provision of equipment and supplies (e.g. cleaning supplies, dressing materials, medications).
Social Work & Counselling Services The Social Worker, within the Welfare Department of the Castlemaine Health provides the following services: Counselling and Assessment
Advocacy
The Adult Day Service provides Planned Activity Groups and Respite for Carers in the form of The Alexander Club, The Out & Out Club and respite holidays. Trained staff and volunteers are there to assist. The Clubs provides a regular opportunity for meeting peers, enjoying a drive, conversation, an activity, reminiscence, a 'home-cooked' meal and regular outings. The HACC target group encompasses frail older people, people with dementia and people with a disability of all ages; also geographical, social or cultural isolation. They may or may not need assistance with personal care, and to participate in activities. Financial disadvantage should not prevent access, as fees can be negoiated. HACC Planned Activity Groups aim 'to maintain an individual's ability to live at home and in the community, by providing a planned program of activities directed at enhancing the skills required for daily living and providing physical, intellectual, emotional and social stimulation. They also provide opportunities for social interaction as well as respite and support for carers' (Victorian HACC Manual 2003). Respite for carers is aimed at providing useful centre-based respite on a regular basis. Initial assessment for eligibility is required, and to discuss any specific needs.
Funding for the Adult Day Service comes from the following sources: The Home and Community Care Program ( HACC ) for Planned Activity Groups (formerly ADASS) and Respite - Overnight. National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) to provide centre-based respite for carers, particularly to meet the needs of those caring for a person with dementia and also respite for employed carers. Community Care Options - to integrate people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) into Planned Activity Groups, or to provide ABI specific Planned Activity Groups. Carer Support Services for Dementia specific respite programs. 
The Continence Service is provided by a Continence Nurse Advisor and Continence Physiotherapist. They are available to provide as assessment and confidential service for both men and women at home or in the Community Rehabilitation Centre. They can help you understand your bladder or bowel problem and advise you on management options. They can provide treatment including pelvic floor muscle re-education and bladder training and give you information on continence aids and purchase options.
MaC ECIP (Mt Alexander and Central Goldfields Early Childhood Intervention Programme) provides services for the families living in the shire of Mt Alexander and Central Goldfields who have a child under school age, with a developmental delay or disability. MaC ECIP provides families with information and support that aims to assist them to make informed decisions about their own needs. MaC ECIP offers a range of services, including home visits, playgroups, individual therapy, parent groups, support for childcare centres, kindergartens and support during transition to school. New referrals must be made via: Queries can be directed to Deanna Blakeley on 5471 1630 or via email macecip@castlemainehealth.org.au
Community Services contact details: For further information contact:
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Within the service, there are nurses whose expertise is able to provide specific care such as Lymphodema management. Patients can be referred for assessment and ongoing routine massage treatments, and liaison with providers for pressure garments.
Two nurses provide the majority of Palliative Care Service visits: a Clinical Nurse Specialist; and Clinical Nurse Consultant / Nurse Practitioner Candidate. Their role is to support and educate patients and carers through their journey, as well as support and educate other health workers and the community to be more confident in assisting care. There is close liaison and communication with the GP and other support services that may be involved in ongoing care.