In this edition:
• NT – CHO announces lockdown
• WA Health – Restrictions announced
• QLD Health updated advice
• ACT – CHO Update
• NSW Health – clarification
• Zoom Meeting for aged care residents and families in Greater Sydney
• VIC Health – QR Code check in requirement
• PPE
• OPAN Services
• State and Territory aged care COVID-19 information
Read more:
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update – 27 June 2021
Eligible approved providers of residential aged care services will be able to apply for funding support under the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) Support Loan Program from 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021.
COVID 19 has had a significant impact on residential aged care providers, including lower occupancy and higher than anticipated refunds of RADs. In recognition of this, the Australian Government is making available up to $128.8 million in zero interest secured loans through the RAD Support Loan Program. The purpose of this funding is to assist eligible residential aged care providers to refund their RADs until 31 December 2021 without triggering an insolvency event.
Read more:
Refundable Accommodation Deposit Support Loan Program opening on 1 July 2021
The Australian Government continues to deliver on its commitment to reduce the number of younger people living in residential aged care.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck and Minister for Government Services, Linda Reynolds CSC said the Government is investing $10.1 million in a national network to help younger people and their families find age-appropriate accommodation and additional support.
“The aged care system was designed to best support the needs of senior Australians, not younger people,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We remain deeply determined to ensure younger people in need of care can find the support outside of the aged care environment.”
As part of the 2020–21 Budget, the Morrison Government committed to funding a national network of up to 40 Younger People in Residential Aged Care System Coordinators.
Read more:
$10.1 million to reduce number of younger people in residential aged care
Since the publication of our Alert ‘Can employers make vaccinations and temperature checks mandatory in today’s climate?’, the Federal Government has indicated that it is reconsidering its stance on mandatory vaccinations. In a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Cabinet announced that it has sought further advice Australian Health Protection Principal Committee on the efficacy of a mandatory vaccination scheme.
In particular, the Cabinet has indicated support for mandating vaccinations in industries servicing vulnerable clients, including the aged care and disability workforce. The Western Australian Premier’s Office has also foreshadowed a mandatory vaccination scheme in the aged care workforce, likely to commence in August. However, until further update from State, Territory or Federal Governments, vaccinations remain voluntary in all industries.
The Federal Minister for Health has also confirmed that employers in particular industries will be required to report the vaccination status of their workforce. At this stage, residential aged care providers will be required to report how many of their staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with a view to providing greater health security for residents. The current Government directive states that workers are not required to disclose if they have received a COVID19 vaccination.
Read more:
Update on the Government’s stance on mandatory vaccinations and disclosure of vaccination status
This newsletter provides important information on matters affecting the aged care sector, including aged care initiatives, programs and processes.
In this issue:
• Aged Care Diversity Framework and Action Plans
• Palliative Care Conference scholarships now open
Residential Care:
• QI Program resources now available
Home Care:
• Improved payment arrangements (IPA) for home care providers are coming – get ready now
• CHSP service finder de-duplication
• Report released: CHSP Data Study
Read more:
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will hold a virtual hearing from 31 August to 2 September 2020 to examine requirements for the delivery of high quality and safe care to older people in their homes and in the community.
People want to live at home to maintain independence, control and choice in how they live. To enable people to remain in their homes and in the community, a program is needed that will deliver high quality and safe care to those people.
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The schedule lists the daily rates of subsidies and supplements for government-subsidised aged care. It includes rates for home care, residential aged care, transition care and short-term restorative care (STRC).
NOTE:
The 1 September Update removes the ‘1 March– 31 August 2020 Temporary additional daily amount’ for both Home Care and Residential Care.
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Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA), on behalf of the department, is undertaking a legislated review of the Restraints Principles.
AHA is seeking the views of current or previous aged care residents and their families, friends or carers about experiences of restraint in residential aged care since 1 July 2019.
Even if your residents are not aware of the Restraints Principles, AHA would still like to hear their views on the use of restraint in residential aged care.
Read more:
In this edition:
• Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) Update
• Update for Queensland Providers
• Updated NSW Health Advice for Residential Aged Care Facilities and Home Care Providers
• Workforce Retention Bonus Second Payment
• National Meals on Wheels Day
• Nutrition during COVID-19
Resources:
• Updated Victorian EPA advice on clinical waste
• Establishing communications fact sheet for aged care facilities
Read more:
Research from the University of Queensland estimates that if aged care homes operate efficiently it would cost around $621 million per year to improve all homes to the best quality level measured in Australia’s current aged care system.
The cost for all aged care homes to improve quality and to operate with a small-sized home model would be around $3.2 billion per year.
The University of Queensland conducted its research for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety using detailed financial data, a comprehensive set of care quality indicators for aged care homes, and a measure of relative care needs, which was developed by the University of Wollongong.
The findings are presented in Research Paper 9 – The cost of residential aged care and Research Paper 10 – Technical mapping between ACFI and AN ACC.
Read more:
Higher funding needed for residential aged care
Research Paper 9 – The cost of residential aged care (.pdf)
Research Paper 10 – Technical mapping between ACFI and AN-ACC (.pdf)
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