HammondCare research shows success of STRC

A short-term specialist reablement intervention funded by the federal government and delivered by independent, not-for-profit provider HammondCare found 99 per cent of older people experiencing functional decline were able to remain at home if engaged with the short-term restorative care program.

Researchers Dr Lindsey Brett, Angela Collins, Kylie Lemsing and Professor Christopher Poulos from HammondCare – who analysed the clinical data of 484 STRC clients over a two-year period between March 2021 and February 2023 – say this justifies the government’s decision to include a restorative care pathway in the Support at Home program.

The STRC Programme provides allied health support for up to eight weeks to older people living at home but at risk of losing their independence. Under SaH this will be increased to 12 weeks, with potential for a 4-week extension.

For 91-year-old Laurie Sucic, the HammondCare STRC programme was an “enormous help,” as she was struggling with her mobility and weight, and was frequently finding herself out of breath.

Her daughter Kim added that the program and team of allied health professionals really lifted Ms Sucic’s spirits.

“It’s like the sun has shone into my parent’s house again,” said Kim.

Overall, the retrospective cohort study by HammondCare researchers found findings the STRC is an effective program for older adults in achieving function gain and meeting individualised goals.

Along with the government-mandated modified Barthel Index data, the HammondCare STRC team collects additional data covering nutritional status, frailty, patient-reported outcomes, and goal attainment, which Dr Brett says is what made the study possible.

“This gave a much fuller picture of where the person was at, at the beginning of the programme, and what the person had achieved at the end, rather than just relying on an mBI”, Dr Brett said.

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