Month: September 2017

Minister Wyatt has released the first Home Care Packages data report on operations since the reforms to home care began on 27 February 2017 through to 30 June 2017.

The report presents data across four key categories:

• eligibility and assessment of home care consumers

• the national prioritisation process (including the number of packages assigned and the number of people on the national queue)

• service delivery (demand and supply for home care across aged care planning regions)

• provider behaviour on maximum exit amounts published on the My Aged Care service finder.

Read more:

Home Care Packages data report and wait times

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2017/17 (.pdf)

Released: 14 September 2017

The Turnbull Government has announced major initiatives in home care services and improved access to the My Aged Care system, as it releases the report of the Legislated Review of Aged Care 2017.

An additional 6,000 home care packages will be made available to support more older Australians with higher care needs to remain living in the comfort of their own homes.

At the same time, support for aged care consumers will be streamlined through a $20 million investment in the My Aged Care information system, to improve public access, especially for rural, regional and remote clients.

Read more:

6,000 extra high need home care packages and $20 million My Aged Care revamp (.pdf)

What’s new?

On 31 July 2017, Mr David Tune AO PSM, as the independent reviewer, provided the report of the Legislated Review of Aged Care 2017, to the Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP.

The Minister tabled the report on 14 September 2017.

Read more:

Aged Care Legislated Review

Legislated Review of Aged Care 2017 (.pdf)

From: The Weekly Source

The State Govt has committed to reviewing the Act as part of its response to the recommendations of the recent Parliamentary Inquiry into the retirement living sector.

The response to the Legal and Social Issues Committee’s report also backs Consumer Affairs Victoria collating its online ‘retirement villages’ information into a booklet that village operators must provide to potential residents; that deferred management fees are applied on a pro rata basis; and villages must report on compliance with maintenance plans funded by maintenance charges paid by residents.

Read more:

VIC Govt set to review its Retirement Villages Act

Government Response (.pdf)

VIC Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector (.pdf)

From: Australian Ageing Agenda

Justice Party Senator Derryn Hinch introduced a private member’s bill on Wednesday to amend the Aged Care Act to introduce a mandated ratio of skilled staff to residents in all aged care facilities.

He is proposing that the minimum “adequate and safe ratio” of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients be mandated in the Quality of Care Principles and based on the number of residents receiving care and the type and level of care provided at the facility.

The Aged Care Amendment (Ratio of Skilled Staff to Care Recipients) Bill 2017 is seeking “to enhance the level of care provided by aged care facilities nation-wide,” Mr Hinch told the Senate.

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Fresh push for minimum staffing requirements in residential care

Aged Care Amendment (Ratio of Skilled Staff to Care Recipients) Bill 2017 (.pdf)

ANMF urges Senators to vote for mandated aged care staffing levels in nursing homes

An independent review was undertaken by Ernst and Young in mid-2017 to determine the adequacy of existing legislation and prudential standards that are currently in place to regulate refundable accommodation payments.

A copy of the Prudential Standards Review is available through the department’s website.

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Prudential Standards Review

Prudential Standards Review (.pdf)

Management Advantage has just celebrated a fantastic milestone. We have turned 25 years as a company.

Back in 1992, Management Advantage was established in South Australia by Ruth Staples, a former Director of Nursing and aged care CEO.

Operations were moved to Melbourne in 1996. Around this time, I (former Federal Minister for Aged Care, 1988–93) joined the company.

Read more…

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2017/16 (.pdf)