GEM at Home
What we do
GEM at Home is a rehabilitation program for older people that delivers hospital-level care in the comfort of their home.
The service is based on the same care model used in a Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) hospital ward.
Program benefits
GEM at Home supports your recovery and helps you regain strength after illness or injury, without needing to stay in hospital. The program aims to:
- enhance your health and independence
- reduce time spent in hospital
- minimise the risk of hospital-related complications
- make care more accessible in your own community.
How it works
- You can be admitted to GEM at Home for up to 2 weeks.
- A multidisciplinary care team (MDT) will visit you at home each day.
- You’ll receive personalised care based on your specific needs.
Who’s involved in your care
Your care team may include:
- doctors and nurses
- physiotherapists and occupational therapists
- pharmacists
- social workers
- speech pathologists
- dietitians
- podiatrists
- allied health assistants.
Additional support services
While you’re in the program, GEM at Home can also provide:
- help with personal care, such as bathing and dressing
- home cleaning and shopping assistance.
- a 24-hour clinical helpline in case you need support or advice.
Cost
There is no cost to you if you are admitted to the program.
All services are fully funded by GEM at Home.
Who this service is for
The GEM at Home service accepts internal and external referrals from acute and subacute inpatient wards. We also accept referrals from community medical providers like general practitioners. Please refer to our criteria below to see if you may be eligible for the program.
Who is eligible for this service
- You have complex, chronic or multiple health conditions that require treatment and management by a geriatrician and MDT and would otherwise be managed within a hospital inpatient ward environment.
- You are clinically and medically stable to be at home, and can safely manage your care with or without support from a caregiver or family.
- You have clear achievable care needs and goals within 2 to 3 weeks that would benefit from the program.
- You live in the GEM at Home catchment area (local government municipalities of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong).
- Your home environment is assessed as suitable and safe for you and for staff when visiting.
- You agree to participate in the program, receive daily visits at home, and to be admitted to hospital if required.
Who is not eligible for this service
- You are clinically, medically or mentally unstable and require management within an inpatient hospital setting.
- Your care needs and goals are greater than what the program can provide, including requirement for regular monitoring of medical status more than once per week.
- You are undergoing VCAT process for the appointment of a decision maker.
- You live in a residential care facility.
- You live outside of the GEM at Home catchment area.
- Your home environment is assessed as unsafe or unsuitable for you to return to or for staff to visit.
Referrals
Internal referrals
Complete an order to the Subacute and Nonacute Assessment and Pathways (SNAP) team using the EMR.
External referrals
Email: [email protected] for more information on how to refer to our program.
Contact
For general enquiries or to discuss a referral, contact:
GEM at Home Service Manager
Phone: 0403 675 493.