Month: September 2018

The Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP announced the release of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce’s report, A Matter of Care – Australia’s aged care workforce strategy.

The strategy is industry focused and identifies fourteen strategic actions to help the aged care industry to address the current and future workforce challenges.

The purpose of the Taskforce was to develop a strategy for growing and sustaining the workforce that provides aged care services and support for older people, to meet their care needs in a variety of settings across Australia. The work of the Taskforce was supported by a $1.92 million Australian Government funding commitment.

Read more:

Aged Care Workforce Taskforce Strategy Report (.pdf)

AT A GLANCE – The fourteen strategic actions of the Australia’s Aged Care Taskforce Strategy (.pdf)

It has been a busy month for Aged Care news. Below are Media Releases by the Minister.

• A draft single charter outlining the rights of aged care consumers, regardless of their subsidised care type, is now open for public consultation.
• Millions of senior Australians are set to benefit from stronger aged care quality standards, as the Australian Government’s comprehensive aged care overhaul moves into top gear.
• A blueprint for the aged care sector to rapidly grow Australia’s professional aged care workforce – estimated to require almost one million workers by 2050 – has been developed by an industry-led expert taskforce.
• Like anyone who watched last night’s Four Corners program, I was absolutely appalled by the lack of care shown for some of Australia’s most vulnerable citizens.
• The community can have its say on the Terms of Reference of the Royal Commission into the Aged Care Sector with an online feedback tool now available.
• The past year has seen a 23 per cent increase in the number of complaints received by the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner.

Read more:

Public consultation open for draft single Charter of Aged Care Rights (.pdf)

Strong New Standards Promise Aged Care Certainty (.pdf)

Blueprint for Professional Aged Care Workforce Growth (.pdf)

Morrison Government Committed to Aged Care Quality (.pdf)

Community Urged to Contribute to Aged Care Royal Commission

Increase in Aged Care Complaints Received (.pdf)

Four Corners launched a two-part special investigation into the treatment of the elderly in aged care homes.

In the ABC’s biggest crowdsourced investigation, they asked their audience to share with them their experiences of the aged care industry. More than 4,000 responded.

In part one of this investigation, Four Corners examines the business of aged care and what that means for the vulnerable residents left in its care.

In part two of this Four Corners investigation, the program will reveal the abject failure of government regulation to protect the elderly.

Read more:

Who Cares?

Who Cares? Part Two

This is what it’s like to work in aged care

Scott Morrison announces royal commission into aged care; advocates expect ‘appalling’ cases of mistreatment to surface

Aged care inquiry an unexpected victory for many, too late for some

Would you eat this? The real food inside aged care facilities in Australia

Secret cameras won’t prevent abuse in nursing homes, experts warn

‘I’m not going to be silent’: plea to rethink care royal commission

Royal commission will finally give the elderly a voice

In Case You Missed It – Below are links to recent articles on Aged Care and Healthcare that may be of interest:

Australian Ageing Agenda

Industry group CEO surprised, disappointed by allegations

Inquiry launched into aged care amendment staffing ratios

Frustration over Royal Commission

Saving your reputation when the media comes knocking

RUCS shares preliminary findings

Report shows jump in aged care complaints

Aged Care Guide

Royal Commission calls on the community to ‘have their say’

Community conversations target workforce and training as key concerns in aged care

What Australians are telling us about aged care providers (hint – it’s mostly good)

Royal Commission into aged care to seek answers surrounding abuse and neglect

New aged care workforce reform hopes to triple staff numbers

Federal Parliament formally pass first upgrade to aged care standards in 20 years

RK

What the Royal Commission into aged care quality and safety means for you

If a system issue prevents the delegate from recording their approval decisions on My Aged Care, the delegate is required to use the Offline Approval Form (accessed through the My Aged Care assessor portal) to record their decision/s.

The approval takes effect on the day the delegate signs and dates this form. If the client needs to enter care and the system issue is outstanding, this form provides evidence to the provider of the approval.

If a service provider receives a signed form, this is enough evidence to start services as soon as possible.

Read more:

Offline Assessment Forms – appropriate approval to start services

My Aged Care Assessment Manual June 2018 (.pdf)

The schedules for residential and home care subsidies and supplements that take effect from 20 September 2018 were released late last week, and these changes are now available in the latest versions of Manad Plus (see below for further details).

The MPIR applicable to ‘refund periods’ remains at 5.96% for the period of 1 October 2018 to 31 December 2018 for:

• refundable deposit balances and accommodation bond balances
• accommodation prices

The Base Interest Rate remains unchanged at 3.75%.

Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care from 20 September 2018 (.pdf)

Schedule of Fees and Charges for Pre 1 July 2014 Residents from 20 September 2018 (.pdf)

IMPORTANT: Changes to ACFI subsidy rates

Please note that in addition to the daily ACFI subsidy rates released on 01 July 2018, the Quality Care Fund will be paid as an additional daily ACFI subsidy amount for the period 20 September 2018 to 30 June 2019. This will increase all ACFI rates and the maximum possible daily subsidy amount to $217.77 and assist providers to transition to new quality standards.

View the updated Schedule of subsidies and supplements that will take effect from 20 September 2018:

Schedule of subsidies and supplements from 20 September 2018 (.pdf)

The Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP has written a letter to the aged care workforce about the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

On 16 September 2018, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the Government’s decision to establish a Royal Commission into the aged care sector.

The Government is seeking your feedback to develop the detailed Terms of Reference of the Royal Commission. Comments are open to members of the community, including residents and their families, aged care providers and aged care workers. Consultation is open until Tuesday 25 September 2018.

Please see the Minister’s letter (104 KB) for your consideration and distribution to your staff and colleagues.

Further information about the Royal Commission, including how to subscribe to receive updates, is available on the department’s website.

Read more:

An Open Letter to the Aged Care Workforce (.pdf)

Royal Commission into the aged care sector

Consultation to develop the detailed Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

Announcement of Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

In these issues:

• Dementia Awareness Month – September 2018
• My Health Record opt-out period extended
• Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grants now open
• Reminder: draft single Charter of Aged Care Rights consultation has begun

Home Care:

• Mandatory publication of home care pricing information

Residential Care:

• Quick Reference Guide: ACFI review and reconsideration process
• Unmonitored medical alarm upgrade offer by NBN Co
• Nurse Practitioners now able to diagnose for Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) appraisals

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue 2018/15 (.pdf)

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue 2018/16 (.pdf)

In the 2018-2019 Budget, the Australian Government announced funding of $40 million for infrastructure investment in regional, rural and remote aged care.

The department is inviting applications from existing approved residential and home care providers in regional, rural and remote areas. Commonwealth Home Support Programme services will also be considered, where there is exceptional need.

The Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grant opportunity is a competitive application process, to apply for grants up to $500,000 per service.

Read more:

Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grants – Applications now open

Grant Opportunity Application Form

Today the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, announced the opening of public consultation on the draft single Charter of Aged Care Rights (the Charter). A single Charter will help to create a shared understanding about the rights of people receiving aged care.

The consultation closes on Wednesday, 10 October 2018.

Read more:

Seeking your views on a draft single Charter of Aged Care Rights

Consultation Hub: The draft Charter of Aged Care Rights