July 2017

14. Quick Reference Guide
Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)

1.Overview of STRC

This Quick Reference Guide provides guidance on how Assessors and Delegates from Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) should use the My Aged Care system in relation to the STRC Programme.

STRC is a form of flexible care.The STRC Programme was established to increase the care options available to older people, through a time-limited, goal-oriented, multi-disciplinary and coordinated package of services.

Further information about STRC can be found on thedepartment’s website.

This document showsthe key STRC related changes to the Assessor Portal to assist ACAT staff in the management of their assessor and delegate functions.

2.STRC Functionalityfor Assessors

  • STRC can be identified as a current support for clients in the assessment
  • STRC can be recommended for a client (including ability to select a particular care setting).
  • STRC providers can be searchedfor
  • Referral codes for STRC can be issued for approved clients.

3.STRC Functionalityfor Delegates

  • STRC can be approved or not approved for a client.
  • An Approval or Non-Approval Letter to the client can be issued for STRC.

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July 2017

4.STRC Functionality in the Assessment

4.1.Current supports

STRC can be listed as a current support for a client where appropriate.

5.Completing a Support Plan

5.1.Add a care type for delegate decision

STRC is a care type delivered under the Aged Care Act 1997 and requiresa delegate decision. It can be selected from the ‘Goals & recommendations’ tab and added using ‘Add a care type for delegate decision’.

When you select ‘Add care type for delegate decision’, you will be able to add STRC as a care type for delegate decision.

When STRC is selected, STRC service subtypes (‘In Home/Community’, ‘In Home/Community and Residential Facility’, ‘In Residential Facility’) are displayed. The default behaviour is for all service subtypes to be checked. Choose the appropriate subtypes, then select ‘save to plan’.

Where the client has a current approval in place for Transition Care, an error message will be displayed. A client is not eligible for STRC where they have a current approval for Transition Care. A similar message will appear if you try to recommend Transition Care for a client already approved to receive STRC.

Once saved to the support plan, STRC will display alongside other recommendations.

As with other recommendations, you may edit the recommendation by selecting the ‘Edit’ button or remove it via the ‘Remove’ button.Once complete, you are able to save and submit for delegate decision.

You will be notified that the assessment is complete and awaiting delegate action.

For additional support and information about the support plan process, please refer to Quick Reference Guide 7 ‘Completing a support plan (ACAT)’.

6.Manage services and referrals

6.1.STRC referral process

The process for issuing referrals and generating referral codes for STRC through
My Aged Care work in the same way as other care types under the Act (aside from home care – refer to Quick Reference Guide 13 ‘Management of Home Care Packages from 27 February 2017).

For additional support and information about the referral process, please refer to Quick Reference Guide 8 ‘Referring for services (ACAT)’.

6.2.Lapsing of STRC referrals

STRC referralsare automatically recalled when the client commences receiving another type of care and, as a result, they are no longer eligible to enter into an episode of STRC.

STRC referrals are also automatically recalled when the STRC eligibility end date is reached and the client has not commenced their STRC service episode.

7.Delegate decisions

The process for delegates to makedecisions about client eligibility for STRCis the same as the decision process for other care types, including if the delegate wants to add STRC as a care type. For additional support and information about the delegate decision process, please refer to Quick Reference Guide 10 ‘Delegate processes’.

Note that when agreeing with a decision, the STRC service subtypes that have been associated with the decision are listed as a bullet point list.

For more information or support

Further information is available in the My Aged Care ACAT information pack and the Information for Assessors page on the department’s website.

The My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline is available by calling 1800836799.

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