News

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.

Read more:

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.

Read more:

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)

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has released the August 2017 issue of their ‘Quality Standard’ newsletter.

Read more:

Quality Standard – August 2017 (.pdf)

Australian Aged Care Quality Agency

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

Read more:

AAA – Study to understand drivers of resident care costs underway

AAA – Pilot will trial driverless technology in aged care

AAA – Renewed calls to improve electronic sharing of residents’ clinical information

TheSource – Attention NSW operators: State Govt now to approve all developments $5M to $30M

AAA – Providers urged to help residents update enrolment details

Mashable – 97-year-old grandpa enjoys the wonders of the future in his first Tesla ride

The Age – Aveo vows to simplify residents’ contracts; profits double

ABC – Retirees spending thousands waiting for retirement village properties to sell

AAA – Aged care Senate inquiry receives few submissions

From: The Weekly Source (1 Aug 2017)

Announcing the McCrindle Baynes Village Census and Rating Program 2017.

Let your residents be heard by participating in this landmark village resident survey which goes into the field late September with results in November.

A large participation by operators and residents will create a factual body of knowledge on the true levels of satisfaction of village residents plus what their drivers are in joining a village.

The 2011 and 2013 McCrindle Baynes Census’ delivered 15,200 residents across close to 400 villages and 50 private and Not For Profit operators, completing up to 50 questions which identified satisfaction levels, marketing intelligence and areas for improvement.

August commitment / November results:

• 30 August: final participation commitment plus 50% payment.

• November: final report, final payment.

Read more:

Attention village operators and marketers – let your residents be heard

McCrindle Baynes Village Census 2017 Prospectus (.pdf)

The AIHW and the Department of Health have worked together to develop GEN as part of continuous quality improvement for the NACDC.

The National Aged Care Data Clearinghouse (NACDC) holds data for all recipients of government–funded aged care from 1997 onwards, including prior activity data for those in care in 1997.

The data mostly relate to government–funded aged care programs operating under the Aged Care Act 1997. These include care delivery programs (residential aged care, home care, and transition care) and assessment programs under the Act (ACAP and ACFI). Some programs not covered by the Act are also included, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (formally the Commonwealth Home and Community Care Program).

GEN gives access to the data and information.

Read more:

GEN Aged Care Data

Factsheets: Admissions into aged care (.pdf)

Factsheets: People’s care needs in aged care (.pdf)

Factsheets: People using aged care (.pdf)

Factsheets: Services and places in aged care (.pdf)

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 #2017/15 (.pdf)