Monitoring regional geriatric assessment teams: analysis of client flows and outcomes

The Commonwealth Government funding of the Geriatric Assessment Program began in 1984. The Program included an evaluation component, and this paper reports findings for three Regional Geriatric Assessment Teams (RGATs) in Victoria focusing on (1) the identification of different starting points in the flow of clients to the RGATs, (2) the relationships between different starting points and (3) recommended care plans, and the relationships between (2) and final outcome, particularly whether or not this involved admission to nursing home care. The role performed by RGATs is reviewed in the context of introducing mandatory assessment, the success of which will depend on the effectiveness of RGATs not only in differentiating need for and securing admission to nursing home care but also in assessing for, accessing and initiating alternative services.