Coral and Michelle are back together to explain the Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale (PAS) and its role in accessing the Dementia and Cognition Supplement for people receiving a Home Care Package. They explain why this screening is often misunderstood, how eligibility is determined, and why many people miss out on funding they’re entitled to. This conversation is supported by our experience and offers practical advice for families and providers navigating this process.

Listeners will learn what the PAS is, why it’s not commonly used in clinical settings, and what goes wrong when providers or GPs aren’t familiar with the screening requirements. With Support at Home commencing soon, this episode is especially relevant for those currently supporting older people with a home care package who have moderate to advanced cognitive impairment.

In this episode:

• The PAS is one of three screening tools used to assess eligibility for the Dementia and Cognition Supplement
• The supplement provides extra funding for people with moderate to advanced cognitive impairment who receive a Home Care Package
• A diagnosis of dementia alone is not enough to qualify; significant cognitive impairment must be demonstrated
• The PAS is not widely known among clinicians, including GPs and practice nurses
• Occupational therapists are not approved to complete the PAS screening
• Incorrect screening or use of the wrong assessor results in the application for funding being denied
• The supplement provides 11.5% additional funding based on the level of the Home Care Package
• This can amount to over $7,000 per year for someone on a Level 4 package
• The Dementia and Cognition Supplement will not continue under Support at Home
• People currently receiving the supplement will retain it after November 1st
• The supplement is tied to the Home Care Package Program, not Support at Home
• Many self-managed clients miss out due to lack of support or awareness
• Michelle offers a pre-screening service to check eligibility before proceeding

Resources mentioned:

• Blog - What is the dementia and cognition supplement?
• Service - Screening for eligibility for the dementia and cognition supplement
• Email Michelle - [email protected]
• Phone Michelle - 0432 995 776

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pharmacy Guild