title: Waiting times for Aged Care Packages: the need to know.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish local waiting times for access to Aged Care Packages (ACPs). ACPs are federally funded and designed to support older people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Access to an ACP is via the Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS) process. Initial investigations suggested that significant waiting times existed locally.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of ACAS data was undertaken retrospectively and prospectively to identify type of ACP and date of approval. Date of provision was obtained from ACP providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and eighty-five ACPs were approved, but only 35 were provided. At up to 12 months after approval, 88% of the cohort were still waiting to receive an appropriate package.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long waiting times exist, which has implications both for the individual and the care/health sectors. It is suggested that monitoring waiting times should be a requirement for the future.
authors: Aged Care Assessment Team, Older Person's Community Services, Townsville Health Service District, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Griffiths
authors: Robyn
authors: R
authors: Russell
authors: Gillian
authors: G
authors: Brunker
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Boccalatte
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Goldstraw
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011793:Queensland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists
keywords: Aged Care Assessment Service; Aged Care Package; waiting time