Clinical guidelines to the Restorative Care Pathway

With input from older people, their support networks, healthcare professionals and care providers, researchers from Flinders University’s Caring Futures Institute have developed the Restorative Care Pathway Clinical Guidelines, designed to maintain independence, prevent functional decline and ensure a more sustainable aged care system. “Unlike traditional aged care models that often focus on managing decline, restorative care actively supports older people to regain and maintain the skills needed for daily life,” the guidelines’ lead author Dr Claire Gough said.

“This proactive approach places older individuals at the centre of their care, encouraging them to set meaningful goals, rebuild confidence, and stay engaged in the activities they value,” Gough added. “It’s about ‘doing with’ rather than ‘doing for’ and we’ve shown that with the right support, older Australians can reclaim independence, improve their quality of life, and reduce reliance on hospitals and long-term care services.” 400 individual responses, four workshops, and advisory input from consumers, clinicians and aged care experts were a basis for the guidelines.

Early intervention and short-term, goal-oriented support that boosts autonomy and dignity are emphasised in the guidelines, with key features including: person-centred goal planning; health and care professional multidisciplinary collaboration; cognitive health, falls prevention, mental wellbeing and nutrition support; and practical tools and exit planning, to ensure sustained independence. Practical example case studies — to outline how the pathway can work — are included in the guidelines; one example being Jacob, an 82-year-old participant who undergoes restorative care after a fall.

In Jacob’s case, a personal goal to return to gardening was set with targeted support from a multidisciplinary team including dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers. Combining balance training, home modifications and community connection through a local gardening group, Jacob’s goal plan was tailored around this aspiration and, by the end of the program, he was confidently tending his garden daily and had joined a community exercise class to stay active. “This is about changing the way we think about ageing,” Gough, a physiotherapist, said.

The new Support at Home program, launching on 1 November, combines the existing Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme to ensure consistent delivery of restorative care interventions. The Restorative Care Pathway is one of three short-term care pathways being introduced within the program, alongside an Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme and an End-of-Life Pathway. Gough said the guidelines underpin the Restorative Care Pathway, “providing a clear roadmap for providers to deliver person-centred, evidence-based care that promotes lasting independence”.

Gough added: “Many families are already navigating aged care, and many more will in the years to come. These guidelines will help shape a future where older people are supported to live the lives they choose — with dignity, purpose and connection.” The guidelines received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and were written by Gough with Professor Stacey George, Professor Kate Laver, Dr Heather Block, Xing Lee, Shenelle Fernando, Annabelle Law and Madi Chapman. They are available at www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/restorative-care-pathway-clinical-guidelines.

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