Aged-Care SAH Program
Perfect Fit Pedorthics liase with SAH Managers and their clients to provide services at our clinic.
The process we follow to service our clients is detailed below:
Initial Consultation to gather relevant information and important contact details (in person or via phone)
Service Agreement completed to progress to an AT Assessment (report & quote)
Liason with the participant’s Allied Health Team members (as required)
Service approval for commencement of Treatment Plan (assessment and fitting of footwear as well as modifications – if required)
*An appointment is required for all clients attending our clinic. This is to ensure we can focus on individual clients with minimal interruptions and dedicate our time to servicing your needs. Call or email to book an appointment.
When can specialised footwear be funded by Aged-care?
- When evidence to prove the support is needed for the client’s care needs so they can continue to live independently in their home for as long as it is safe and appropriate.
- When a written referral from a therapist or podiatrist is obtained.
Perfect Fit Pedorthics uses this referral to assess the individual needs and provides evidence to show how the specialised footwear or orthotics will assist in daily living.
To support an application, we will submit a report which includes:
- the need for orthopaedic supports to be directly related to the care needs
- a recommendation on footwear options to support current and future needs
- determining that supports are reasonable and necessary
- evidence that the supports will help the client to be substantially more independent
- reducing the need for other kinds of supports, and be of long-term benefit
Did you know……?
Home Care Packages Program Manual states:
Government funding is intended to help meet your assessed ageing related functional decline care needs so you can continue to live independently in your home for as long as it is safe and appropriate.
Falls Risks:
- Elderly individuals who are identified as being at high risk for falling, or have a history of falls require appropriate measures to be taken to address these risk factors. The use of appropriate footwear to reduce the risk of sustaining debilitating physical injuries is a cost-effective approach.
No Barriers:
- Elderly individuals often do not choose appropriate footwear for themselves - there is a tendency for ill-fitted footwear to go unnoticed.
- Elderly individuals rarely get ‘‘sized’’ for shoes that fit. Furthermore, retail stores often do not stock the customized shoes needed for these customers.
- The use of inappropriate footwear may be related to socioeconomic factors.
- With the Australian government’s myagedcare service, such socioeconomic constraints are no longer an issue and appropriate footwear should be considered a priority.
Obtaining footwear from an appropriately trained professional is recommended. What’s on your feet matters!
Medical Grade Footwear definition
Medical Grade Footwear (MGF) is designed to provide support and appropriate pressure distribution, whilst the client is weight bearing. It assists in compensating for permanent and major deformity or dysfunction of the foot and has specialized or customized features designed to meet the individual needs of the client.
Provided as clinically required
MGF will be provided when regular, off the shelf commercially available footwear are not suitable to meet the clinical needs of the client. In all situations the most cost-effective method to address the concerns of the client will be implemented first. The footwear provided includes:
- Medical Grade Footwear – Prefabricated - Medical Grade Footwear requiring no change to suit the person's needs
- Medical Grade Footwear - Customized - Medical Grade Footwear that are customised to the specific needs of the person
- Medical Grade Footwear - Custom Made - Medical Grade Footwear that are custom made to the needs and measurements of the person
Clinical indicators for provision of Medical Grade Footwear (MGF)
MGF can be provided in the following circumstances with prescription by an Approved Prescriber and when it can be demonstrated that:
- Safety: MGF will minimize the risk of serious injury to the client.
- Independence/function: without MGF the client is compromised when completing daily living tasks.
- Prevention of deterioration: MGF will reduce progression of functional and/or postural deterioration.
- Potential for functional gain: MGF will facilitate the client making improvements in their functional capacity.
PART A:
Medical Grade Footwear (MGF) and related Orthosis
- Pedorthics is the management and treatment of conditions of the foot, ankle and lower limbs requiring fitting, fabrication and adjusting of orthotic devices (Medical Grade Footwear and related Orthosis).
- Pedorthists are part of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) who employ clinical and technical expertise with the aim to minimise impairment, maximise function, improve mobility and promote the health and wellbeing of patients.
Pedorthic services include:
- provision of prefabricated Medical Grade Footwear
- modification of prefabricated Medical Grade Footwear
- custom-made footwear
- custom-made orthotic appliances
- advice on the need and application of these devices.
MGF can be provided with prescription by an Approved Prescriber
Pedorthists are approved Assessor / Prescriber
MGF will be provided when regular, off the shelf commercially available footwear are not suitable to meet the clinical needs of the client. In all situations the most cost-effective method to address the concerns of the client will be implemented first.
This is beneficial for those who:
- Prefabricated - Medical Grade Footwear requiring no change to suit the person's needs
- Customised - Medical Grade Footwear that are customised to the specific needs of the person
- Custom Made - Medical Grade Footwear that are custom made to the needs and measurements of the person
When it can be demonstrated that one or more of the following key approval criteria apply:
- Safety
- Independence/function
- Prevention of deterioration
- Potential for functional gain
- Safety: MGF will minimize the risk of serious injury to the client.
- Independence/function: without MGF the client is compromised when completing daily living tasks.
- Prevention of deterioration: MGF will reduce progression of functional and/or postural deterioration.
- Potential for functional gain: MGF will facilitate the client making improvements in their functional capacity.
Participants with health conditions that impact on
- foot health
- mobility and stability
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Morton's Neuroma
- Metatarsalgia
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
- Foot Drop
- Heel Spurs
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Flatfoot / High Arches
- Claw / Hammer Toes
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Falls Risk
- Diabetes
- Ulcers
- Oedema
- Lymphoedema
- Vascular disease
When it can be demonstrated that one or more of the following key approval criteria apply:
Quality footwear is important for overall health and stability, serving as the foundation for the body’s movement and balance. They provide the base for smooth, efficient gait, helping maintain balance, and preventing injuries.
Support at Home Program
PART B:
AT item – Foot Orthosis (06.12.03)
- Care management activities are delivered by a Support at Home provider through a staff member known as a care partner.
- Care partners update the care plan at least once every 12 months, or when there is a change to the participant’s needs, services or circumstances.
Updates to your care plan can be made when:
- there is a decline in physical health
- new risks emerge or an incident occurs
- at any time, upon the participant’s request
The AT-HM scheme supports older people to live at home and within their community with increased independence, safety, accessibility and wellbeing.
When delivering care management activities, the care partner:
- makes referrals to relevant professionals, (e.g. for prescription of assistive technology)
- communicates with any relevant professionals about the participant’s needs.
- Some assistive technology will need a prescription (made by a suitably qualified health professional).
- Qualified professionals include allied health professionals
- Pedorthists are part of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA).
- Prescription services include; Clinical Consultation, Assessment Fitting, and AT Report
Access to AT item: 06.12.03 Foot orthoses
Perfect Fit Pedorthics provides a prescription including:
- an assessment for AT funding
- documentation and justification for the need and reasoning for AT to support the claim (AT report)
Perfect Fit Pedorthics is an associated provider.
This means that Care Partners can contact us directly
Jim is a transitioned HCP care recipient
Jim has unspent funds that can be used for AT items.
- Jim was hospitalisation after a recent fall and his Care Partner suggests interventions using Medical Grade Footwear to address his risk of future falls.
- Care partner refers Jim to our services for an initial consult/assessment/fitting (prescription service).
Perfect Fit Pedorthics provides a prescription and an AT report to support the claim for our services
Maria is a transitioned HCP care recipient
Maria does NOT have unspent funds that can be used for AT items.
- Maria has Parkinson’s and her Care Partner suggests assessment for Medical Grade Footwear to improve her stability and mobility
- Maria requires an update to her care plan to include AT funding for Medical Grade Footwear.
- Care partner refers Maria to our services for an initial consult/assessment/fitting (prescription service).
Perfect Fit Pedorthics provides a prescription and an AT report to support the claim for our services
Bill has recently been approved for the SaH program
Bill has a care plan but has NOT been assessed for AT funding
- Bill’s Podiatrist reports that he has diabetes and is at risk of foot ulcerations
- Bill requires an update to his care plan to include AT funding for Medical Grade Footwear.
- Care Partner refers Bill to our services for an initial consult/assessment/fitting (prescription service).
Perfect Fit Pedorthics provides a prescription and an AT report to support the claim for our services
June has recently been approved for the SaH program
June’s care plan includes assessed AT funding to address her mobility needs
- June’s Care Partner is aware that Medical Grade Footwear plays an important role in maintaining balance and preventing injuries.
- Care partner refers June to our services for an initial consult/assessment/fitting (prescription service).
Perfect Fit Pedorthics provides a prescription and an AT report to support the claim for our services
Support at Home
Prescription footwear includes custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics) or specialized shoes prescribed by a healthcare professional. These medically graded footwears are designed to support, align, or improve the function of the foot and lower leg for individuals with specific medical / health conditions.
Types of Prescription Footwear
- Custom made orthoses
- Medical grade footwear
- Customized footwear
- Custom made footwear
Key Benefits
Wearing medical-grade footwear provides numerous benefits for individuals managing chronic foot and lower limb conditions:
- Pain Relief:
- Improved Mobility and Stability:
- Prevention of Further Injury/Deformity:
- Enhanced Comfort and Fit:
- Better Circulation:
Who Needs Them & Why
- Conditions: Diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat feet, high arches, neuropathy, gait problems, balance issues, and fraility.
- Symptoms: Foot pain, swelling, sharp heel pain, uneven shoe wear, balance problems, or risk of skin breakdown.
- Purpose: Reduce pain, improve mobility, prevent ulcers, stabilize the foot, and support overall foot health.
How to Get Them
- Consult a Professional: See a podiatrist, doctor, or physical therapist.
- Get a Prescription: They will assess your needs and provide a prescription.
- See a Specialist: Visit Perfect Fit Pedorthics – we are an authorized provider.
- Customization: We can adjust and modify footwear to cater for specific needs.
Summary
- Perfect Fit Pedorthics is an approved prescriber for AT item – Foot Orthoses
- Foot Orthosis includes Medical Grade Footwear (MGF)
- Transitioned HCP care recipient can use their unspent funds to access AT items
- If AT funding has been approved, we will provide a prescription and an AT assessment (with report) for the provision of Foot Orthosis
- If AT funding is NOT in the care plan, we can provide an assessment to establish Care Plan Goals to support your funding application
- Care Partners can refer directly to us
Simply contact us to initiate a service request
info@perfectfitpedorthics.com.au
Phone: 0432 444 756