Month: September 2019

The Morrison Government has agreed to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s request for an extension of six months to continue to hear evidence from Australians and conduct its deliberations.

This Government has Aged Care front and centre of its agenda as one of our key priorities. We have committed to invest over $90 billion into the sector over the next four years to enable senior Australians to remain in their homes for longer, support their choices, have their needs better understood and improve their quality of life.

Read more:

Statement on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

4 Hearings are currently upcoming:

Melbourne Hearing 2 – Diversity in aged care

Melbourne hearing 2 will inquire into diversity in aged care, including culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTI groups, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, care leavers, veterans, and the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.

• Date: 7 – 9 October and 11 October 2019
• Location: Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Time: 9:30am local time

Melbourne Hearing 3 – Aged care workforce

Melbourne hearing 3 will inquire into the aged care workforce, with a focus on how to enhance capacity and how to make the aged care sector a more attractive and rewarding place to work.

• Date: 14 – 18 October 2019
• Location: Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Time: 9:30am local time

Mudgee Hearing – Provision of aged care in regional areas

The Mudgee Hearing will inquire into arrangements for and issues associated with the provision of aged care services in regional areas, including Multi-Purpose Services. The Hearing will have a particular focus on aged care services in the Mudgee region.

• Date: 4 – 6 November 2019
• Location: TBC
• Time: 9:30am local time

Hobart Hearing – Aged care operations of selected Approved Providers

The Hobart Hearing will inquire into the operations of selected Approved Providers that operate residential aged care facilities in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia.

• Date: 11 – 15 November 2019
• Location: TBC
• Time: 9:30am local time

Read more:

Hearings

Community forums are another way that members of the public can engage with the Commission.

Forums are taking place in a number of locations around the country. The forums are an opportunity for members of the public to hear about the work of the Commission and to offer their ideas on the challenges and strengths of aged care. This will also be a chance for anyone to propose ideas for improvement.

Launceston Community Forum – Thursday 3 October 2019

• Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston TAS 7250
• Date: Thursday, 3 October 2019
• Time: 1:30pm to 4:00pm

There will be a chance to give written feedback to the Commission and to talk to Commission staff. A limited number of people will be able to give a brief statement. If you would like to do so please let us know when you register. Guidelines will be provided to all registered speakers.

You can book your place by:

• Telephone: 1800 960 711 (between 8.00am-6.30pm ACST Monday-Friday except public holidays). Interpreter services are available.
• Eventbrite

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

Tasmanian aged care facilities received 23 serious complaints to federal watchdog in 2017

Casual Aged Care Workers To Get Pay Rise

Physical abuse, use of chemical restraints among complaints to aged care watchdog in Tasmania

New voluntary aged care standards designed for a ‘very complex sector’

Provider CEO survey highlights impact of financial pressures

Families shocked convicted murderers are among residents at Garrawarra Centre Waterfall

Why 6000 younger Australians are living in aged care

Aged care royal commission hears young people with disabilities are ‘hidden’ by system

Almost 40 per cent of home care budgets eaten up by fees

‘Prison sentence’: 6000 young Australians stranded in nursing homes

Aged care system a ‘national disgrace’, commissioner Lynelle Briggs says

The high risk season for major Australian weather events and bushfires is approaching. It is important that all aged care providers are well prepared and able to respond to emergency events which may impact your service and ability to deliver care.

Maintaining quality care under these circumstances requires effective emergency risk management and planning.

The department’s website provides resources that can assist in your emergency planning.

Read more:

Industry alert: emergency planning for aged care services

Risk Management for Emergency Events in Aged Care

A new resource to assist people living with dementia to walk safely and maintain their independence is now available from Dementia Australia.

The ‘Walking Safely with Dementia’ resource is being launched to coincide with National Missing Persons Week, which ran from 4-10 August 2019.

According to a study from the US Alzheimer’s Association, it is estimated that 60 per cent of people with Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) will become lost at least once and becoming lost is often the first symptom experienced by someone living with dementia.

The ‘Walking Safely with Dementia’ guide offers information, tips and strategies for people living with dementia, their families and carers and suggests ways we, as a community, can help if a person becomes lost or disorientated.

Read more:

Walking safely with dementia (.pdf)

The department is seeking applications from existing aged care and disability service providers to deliver priority Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services to targeted Aged Care Planning Regions.

Growth funding enables the sector to respond to the changing aged care needs of CHSP clients and aligns with the growth in Australia’s ageing population.

Read more:

Applications open for 2019-20 CHSP Growth Funding Round

Current Grant Opportunity View – GO2783

Seven new case studies have been added to the Guidance material to support providers’ understanding of the Quality Standards in practice.

They provide examples of consumers receiving care and services in rural and remote locations, and include home care and community care settings.

Case studies are on:

• Dignity of risk
• Effective management of high-impact or high-prevalence risks
• Emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being
• End of life care
• Feedback and complaints
• Ongoing assessment and planning
• Respecting identity, culture and diversity
• Service environment

Read more:

Case Studies

We are seeking your feedback on two proposed alternative models for allocating residential aged care places that encourage greater consumer choice. Your suggestions for other allocation models are also welcome.

Visit the department’s Consultation Hub to view the discussion paper and provide feedback through the online survey – closes on Friday 13 September, 11.59 pm (AEST).

Read more:

Reminder to have your say on alternative models for allocating residential aged care places

Residential aged care: Proposed alternative models for allocating places

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Getting to know the Standards – Standard 1, Consumer Dignity and Choice
• Publication of Serious Risk decisions
• New ways of collecting feedback about home services
• Heater Burn Alert – Residential aged care beds placed next to heaters
• Website updates
• AAIC Satellite Symposium Conference
• Walking safely with dementia
• Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #8, August 2019