[Insert date]

[Insert your name and address]

Dear [insert name of minister/politician]

As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) providing [insert services e.g. falls and balance, rehabilitation, exercise physiology] in [insert your district/area], I was pleased to see recognition and access to Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) services for people living in residential facilities had been recognised in the recently released report,Review of Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) recommendations report.

Currently, AEPs are not recognised in the list of health professionals in the ACFI User Guide (page 38). However, their practices fit strongly into the planned Therapy Program and their inclusion is recommended in the new R-ACFI Therapy Program model.

AEPs are federally recognised allied health professionals, specialising in exercise prescription for individuals with, or at risk of developing, a chronic disease and injury. These effective interventions are exercise-based and include health and physical activity education, advice and support, and lifestyle modification, with a strong focus on achieving behavioural change so that my clients can maintain health benefits long-term.

The cost of inaction includes:

  • The medical cost alone of falls will reach AUD$1.4 billion by 2051.
  • AUD$33 billion in capital investment will be needed by the next decade to meet the accelerated demand for residential aged care beds.
  • An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study (2008) suggests total health and residential aged care expenditure will increase by 189% in the period 2003 to 2033.

As an AEP, I would like to see an increase in access to lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and diet, as part of a usual model of care for older people. This includes:

  • Adding exercise physiology as a listed service type and exercise as a therapy type in aged care funding instrument (ACFI).
  • Improving care integration so that access to exercise interventions are supported across the lifespan, regardless of the aged care client’s location.
  • Investment in educating the aged care workforce and increasing the health literacy of older people about the need to include exercise as part of beneficial care pathways.
  • Support older adult engagement in person-at-the-centre aged care services to prevent disability and prolong quality of life. This includes giving clear, transparent, best practice information to enhance health pathways for older individuals.

I look forward to your response in relation to this matter and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about aged care and services within your area to see how we can build better relationships and service provision for the community.

Kind regards

[Insert signature]

[Insert name]