Author: Jesse

In this issue:

• New My Aged Care website and enhanced service finder project
• Reminder: Consultation on streamlined consumer assessment for aged care closing soon
• Reminder: Have your say on the Homelessness Action Plan
• Online continence pocket guide for the aged care workforce
• Recognising the need for end of life directions for aged care

Read more:

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue 2019/1 (.pdf)

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

Aged care royal commission must address the failings plaguing NT services, advocates say

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – Next steps following Provider Survey

Aged care inquiry: food under scrutiny after study finds more spent feeding prison inmates

Department updates quality advice to warn against chemical restraint

My Health Record: government warned of ‘significant’ patient data glitch

The Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP has announced the allocation of 775 new Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) places worth an estimated $58 million per year. These include:

• 350 in 2018-19
• 425 in 2019-20.

Read more:

2018-19 ACAR – Allocation of Short-Term Restorative Care Places

2018-19 Aged Care Approvals Round

The Preliminary Hearing was held on Friday 18 January 2019. You can find a copy of the transcript and a recording of the webcast below.

Read more:

18 January 2019 – Preliminary public hearing – Transcript (.pdf)

18 January 2019 – Ceremonial Hearing – Webcast

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

Bupa’s ninth aged care home sanctioned in 12 months over ‘severe risk’ to residents

Aged care home resident strapped to chair for total of 14 hours in one day

Surprise announcement comes on top of delays for the aged care royal commission

Commissioners outline vision for aged care inquiry

Financial performance of sector ‘disappointing’

Aged care royal commission begins with families of elder abuse victims shut out of first hearing

The Eden Alternative: “People Started To Thrive”

‘Providers who do not engage with our requests draw attention to themselves’

Royal Commission looks to the future and giving older Australians a voice

Sector responds to Royal Commission launch

Residential occupancy down and wait times up, report shows

Royal commission invites first witnesses for February hearings

GPs seek legal advice on My Health Record

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program 2018-2019 Residential Care – Expansion Round is a targeted, competitive application process. Eligible applicants can apply for high care residential aged care places, to be delivered in remote and very remote Australia (geographical locations defined as Modified Monash Model (MMM) 6 and 7).

Read more:

NATSIFAC Program Residential Care – Expansion Round now open

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program 2018-2019 Residential – Expansion Round

The Diversity Sub-group of the Aged Care Sector Committee has started work on an action plan under the Aged Care Diversity Framework to help the aged care sector support older people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness (the Homelessness Action Plan).

Read more:

Have your say: Aged Care Diversity Framework – Homelessness Action Plan

Aged Care Homelessness Action Plan- Survey for professionals and providers

Aged Care Homelessness Action Plan- Survey for older people

The Commission is extremely concerned if any aged care consumer is being inappropriately restrained, either through physical means such as the use of a belt, or chemical means such as by using antipsychotic medication.

The Commission requires all residential aged care services to demonstrate that alternative strategies are used to manage challenging behaviours. Where absolutely necessary and therapeutically indicated, use of restraints such as antipsychotic medications must be a last resort and for as little time as possible, consistent with best practice guidance.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Ms Janet Anderson said: “The recent questions and concerns raised about the use of restraints in the aged care sector has further sharpened our focus on this important area of care.

Read more:

Safeguarding Against Inappropriate Use of Physical or Chemical Restraint (.pdf)

Attached is a communique from the Department of Human Services.

Read more:

Message from DHS: Quarterly Review January 2019

DHS Provider Communique: Quarterly Review January 2019 (.pdf)

The Royal Commission is a crucial step forward in determining the full extent of problems in aged care and understanding the challenges and opportunities in delivering quality, sustainable aged care services now and into the future.

It will go to the structural reforms required, identifying where we as a nation need to make further substantial changes.

Ultimately, I want it to help build a national culture of respect for ageing and senior Australians.

As the Royal Commission goes about its critical work, our Government’s rigorous reform program will continue at full pace, with the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, upgraded Aged Care Quality Standards and record levels of funding support for senior Australians.

Read more:

Aged Care Royal Commission a Crucial Step Forward (.pdf)