News

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

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Residential aged care residents COVID-19 vaccination rates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information for residential aged care providers – emergency leave (.pdf)

Support Portal for providers’ reporting a COVID-19 outbreak or exposure in residential aged care (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) aged care workforce measures frequently asked questions (.pdf)

Fact sheet for residents and families on COVID-19 Vaccination and Antivirals (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Weekly webinar on COVID-19 in aged care – reminder
• Rapid Antigen Test Kits – continuing supply for residential aged care homes
• COVID-19 Vaccination and Antiviral treatment fact sheet

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Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update 10 August 2022

The AN-ACC Transition Fund is open for applications. The Grant Opportunity Guidelines GO5670 and application form are available on GrantConnect.

Residential aged care providers that will receive less funding under AN-ACC than the ACFI are eligible to access the AN-ACC Transition Fund and have been sent an invitation to apply from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

If you have not received an invitation to apply but believe your organisation is eligible, please contact the AN-ACC Funding Helpdesk for information on how to estimate the difference between your ACFI base and AN-ACC funding:

Phone: (02) 4406 6002

Email: ANACCfundinghelpdesk@health.gov.au

Read more:

Aged Care Alert: AN-ACC Transition Fund – applications open now

Current Grant Opportunity View – GO5670

News about the reforms:

• Aged care legislation commencement and Senate committee inquiry
• Supporting a real pay rise for aged care workers
• Updates to Serious Incident Response Scheme resources
• Webinar: Quarterly Financial Report updates and Q&A

Other news:

• Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing webinar: Collecting Diversity Data to Promote Inclusive Services in Aged Care
• Australian Human Rights Commission’s age awareness training: Register your interest
• Webinar: Stroke – what you need to know

National Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program

For residential care providers:

• Business Improvement Fund Round 2: Outcome of grant applications

For home care providers:

• Home Care Packages monthly statements resources
• New guidance examines key home services delivery risks

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/15 (.pdf)

The Australian Government is returning to the timeframe put forward by the Royal Commission to deliver a reformed and improved in-home aged care program by 1 July 2024.

The Department of Health and Aged Care will host a webinar on 31 August 2022 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm AEST for older Australians, their families and carers, and the aged care sector.

The webinar will discuss the outcomes of previous consultations, and how these have informed the program’s future direction and will inform the development of the new Aged Care Act.

Read more:

Webinar: Reforming in-home aged care and regulation – update

Register for the webinar

Today, the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 was passed, enabling major improvements to aged care in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Albanese Labor Government made a promise to restore dignity to our most vulnerable citizens and this bill is a critical first step in improving aged care service.

This legislation will replace the outdated Aged Care Funding Instrument with a new aged care subsidy funding model – the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) model, for full implementation from 1 October 2022.

AN-ACC will offer a more equitable approach, with funding that better matches the provider’s costs of meeting the care needs of residents.

The legislation will also enable the Department of Health and Aged Care to publish star ratings for all residential aged care services by the end of 2022.

The Star Ratings system will put a spotlight on the sector, allowing older Australians and their families to compare quality and safety performance of different services and providers.

Read more:

First bill passed delivers aged care reforms

Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022

Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022

As the industry is no doubt aware, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission) has ramped up its regulatory activity in both residential and home care over the last few months. With unprecedented staffing shortages, many providers, including those with previously flawless compliance histories, are being found to be non-compliant with one or more of the Aged Care Quality Standards.

A finding of “Not Met” with any of the Quality Standards can trigger further regulatory powers and lead to sanctions, or in extreme cases, the revocation of accreditation or even approved provider status. As Notices of Non-Compliance are published, it can affect a providers’ reputation. It is important for providers to take any finding of non-compliance very seriously and do what they can to overturn the finding.

Read more:

6 tips for responding to Aged Care Audit Reports

The Albanese Labor Government has announced it will conduct a capability review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Minister for Aged Care the Hon. Anika Wells today confirmed that the capability review would proceed after the former Morrison Government failed to act on the Royal Commission recommendation.

“Australians told us that quality and safety in aged care is of utmost importance, and the Albanese Labor Government is progressing this review,” Minister Wells said.

“The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for protecting and improving the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life for older Australians receiving funded aged care services.

“It is critical that the Commission is fit for purpose.”

Read more:

Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

News about the reforms:

• In-home aged care reform to be delivered by 1 July 2024
• Update: Aged Care Financial Report
• Quarterly Financial Reporting and care minutes

Other news:

• Aged care providers need to have specialised services verified on My Aged Care
• Dementia Carer Respite and Wellbeing Program
• Free online healthy ageing tool
• Webinar: Volunteering and Swinburne’s Digital Story Program in Aged Care
• Online Aged Care Mental Health Training

For residential care providers:

• Residential respite care funding under AN-ACC

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Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/14 (.pdf)

The reform agenda anticipated in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission) has recommenced.

On 27 July 2022, the Government introduced two new aged care Bills to the House of Representatives:

1. Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 (Care Reform Bill); and
2. Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 (Royal Commission Response Bill 2022).

The Royal Commission Response Bill 2022 quickly progressed through the House of Representatives, and passed the Senate on 2 August 2022 without amendment.

The Care Reform Bill was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, with a report due on 31 August 2022.

Approved Providers should act quickly to ensure compliance with these Bills, with some reform expected as soon as 1 October 2022.

Read more:

New Aged Care Bills have landed – An overview of expected reform