Author: Jesse

In this edition:

• Winter preparedness webinar series
• Reminder – Vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19
• Reminder – Aged Care Emergency and Crisis Management Training Program available until 30 June 2022

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 27 May 2022

A list of new and updated resources – including apps, audio and video resources and other publications – about aged care.

Read more:

COVID-19 Winter dose Information kit for residential aged care providers (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Booster information for residential aged care workers – are you up to date? (.pdf)

AN-ACC Shadow Dashboard (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Guidance for residential aged care providers on reporting resident and workforce COVID-19 vaccinations (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – winter doses for senior Australians (.pdf)

Questions and Answers from AN-ACC roadshow (.pdf)

Residential Aged Care Funding Reform – Transitioning from ACFI to AN-ACC and Care Minutes (link)

Use of Tamiflu in residential aged care (.pdf)

COVID-19 vaccination – Vaccine dose policy (.pdf)

Reducing heater burn risks in residential aged care services

Key points:

• Hydronic heaters can cause severe burns to aged care service residents
• Providers are advised to review hydronic heater risks and take appropriate action e.g. move beds away from heaters, install guards to prevent direct contact, monitor heat settings and conduct regular maintenance.

Serious burns incidents from the use of hydronic heaters in residential aged care services are reported to the Commission each year.

As the weather becomes cooler, providers and service staff are reminded to regularly review and check the use of this equipment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your residents throughout the winter season.

Read more:

Clinical Alerts: Heaters and burns

Vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19

Vaccines save lives. The best way to protect yourself, your residents, their families and carers and your staff from influenza (flu) and COVID is to get vaccinated.

This winter we expect an increase in influenza cases and with COVID continuing to circulate at the same time, it is important to be protected against flu and COVID.

We strongly encourage you to engage with residents and workers to discuss vaccination options and support the consent process to achieve optimum vaccination coverage.

You should also be assisting in-home and community care recipients and workers to understand how they can access flu and COVID vaccinations.

Having your arrangements in place early so that you can offer vaccinations and boosters to your residents and staff will help to minimise potential outbreaks and severity of disease.

Read more:

Managing Influenza and COVID-19 in residential aged care

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission new and updated resources.

Read more:

Do you have a concern or complaint? poster (languages link)

Do you have a concern or complaint? poster English (.pdf)

The reform agenda anticipated in the wake of the Aged Care Royal Commission Final Report has been halted by the election.

Last year the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 1) Act 2021 (Act No. 1) commenced, however this Act introduced only a few changes, some of which were problematic.

The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021 (Bill No. 2), which was introduced late last year and had commencement dates in March 2022 was expected to implement more significant reforms. However, the Bill is no longer proceeding.

Read more:

Aged Care Alert | Aged care reform on hold; the Aged Care Royal Commission Response Bill no 2. no longer proceeding.

In this edition:

• Recording available – Leadership and Governance for RACFs webinar
• Winter preparedness webinar series
• Pulse Oximeters available for home care clients
• NSW Health – updated guidance

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 19 May 2022

This video provides information about the transition from the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) to the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model and the separate care minutes policy.

📺 Watch:

Residential Aged Care Funding Reform – Transitioning from ACFI to AN-ACC and Care Minutes

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission new and updated resources.

Read more:

Outbreak management planning in aged care (.pdf)

News about the reforms:

• Webinar: Consumer Experience Interviews information session
• Counting residents against each AN-ACC classification

Other news:

• Important reminder about use of My Aged Care trade mark
• Register now for CALDWays Conference 2022
• Free translation service available for aged care providers
• Australian Dementia Research Forum 2022
• Webinar recording available: Early Diagnosis of Dementia … Why Bother?
• Webinar: Powers of Attorneys and understanding consent and capacity
• Celebrating National Volunteer Week 16-22 May
• FriendLine volunteers offer connection and conversation
• Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk

For residential care providers:

• Information for providers yet to upgrade to Services Australia’s Aged Care Online web services

For home care providers:

• Have your say on supporting the home care workforce
• In-home aged care service list survey closes 24 May

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/09 (.pdf)