News

The webinar planned for 12 February 2020 on the development of new aged care assessment arrangements has been rescheduled to Wednesday 11 March 2020 from 2:00pm-3:00pm.

The webinar will provide an update on recent consultations on hospital assessment arrangements and will address common themes arising from stakeholder questions during the first webinar on 11 December 2019.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the new arrangements from representatives from the Department of Health.

Read more:

Revised webinar date: Update on new aged care assessment arrangements

Link – Webinar 2: Update on the new aged care assessment arrangements

This year is a leap year, with 366 days instead of 365. The department has received queries from approved providers of residential care seeking advice on how to calculate a daily accommodation payment (DAP) in a leap year.

The calculators specified in the Fees and Payments Principles 2014 (No. 2) (the Principles) refer to 365 days for working out:

• the DAP (or contribution) equivalent to a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) (or contribution)
• the amount of interest on a RAD (or contribution) balance or accommodation bond balance.

Even though 2020 is a leap year, residential care providers should continue to use 365 days when calculating DAP amounts and the interest payable on refunds of lump sum deposits. But please be aware that daily payments and daily contributions are payable for 366 days in 2020.

Read more:

Calculating residential accommodation payments in a leap year

As part of its responsibilities for protecting and enhancing the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of aged care consumers, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) has identified and developed a range of best practice strategies and tools for providers of aged care to engage with consumers and their representatives.

This resource recognises that placing consumers at the centre of their care is fundamental to quality care outcomes. This means significantly deepening engagement and developing a mutual partnership with consumers in all aspects of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care and services.

Read more:

Working with aged care consumers – Resource (.pdf)

This webinar will provide an update on the development of new aged care assessment arrangements and address common themes arising from stakeholder questions during the December 2019 webinar.

The new arrangements will start from April 2021, providing a streamlined process for consumers to access aged care services.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the new arrangements from representatives from the Department of Health.

Date: Wednesday 12 February 2020

Time: 2.00 pm to 3:00 pm (AEDT)

Read more:

Webinar: Update on new aged care assessment arrangements

The What Matters Most resources are for older people using aged care services.

They are designed to be used with health or aged care staff. They can help older people work out what would be right for them, if they were really sick or at the end of their life rather than waiting for a crisis to occur.

The resources can be used to help health and aged care workers and the older person to have these important discussions with the person’s family and friends.

Read more:

What Matters Most for Older Australians

Facilitator Guide (.pdf)

What Matters Most Discussion Starter (.pdf)

My Aged Care and Program Administration:

• Consumers can now apply for an assessment online
• Recent updates to the My Aged Care website
• Retirement of AUSkey March 2020
• Aged care content on the department’s new website
• Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Authorised Officers – Legislation Amendments
• Update on the Specialist Dementia Care Program

Consultations and RFTs:

• Reminder: Residential Aged Care Funding Reform – Assessor Training Strategy – Request for Tender
• Public consultation on the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission Draft Roadmap

Resources and Training:

• What Matters Most – New person centred care resources
• Aged Care Education and Training Incentive (ACETI) Program closing

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2020/01 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Commissioner message
• Getting to know the Standards – Standard 5 Organisation’s service environment
• Regulatory Bulletin update
• Transition of Compulsory Reporting to the Commission
• From the Chief Clinical Advisor
• New resources for consumer engagement now available
• Still time to register interest in new online learning solution
• Assessing the Standards workshops – still time to book
• Re-accreditation of residential services

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #13 Jan 2020

The department understands that a number of Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers may have been impacted by recent and ongoing bushfires. In response, we are extending the due date for responses to the Wellness and Reablement Report. The responses will now be due on 21 February 2020 for all CHSP service providers in all states and territories.

Read more:

2019 Wellness and Reablement Report for CHSP providers – extension to 21 February 2020

The department has prepared factsheets for aged care staff, residents and families to assist in control of the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). These factsheets have been cleared through the Communicable Disease Network Australia and will be updated as new information becomes available.

While most infections are transmitted by people with symptoms of the disease, there are cases of coronavirus infection diagnosed in persons with minimal or no symptoms and it may be transmitted by people who have no symptoms. These factors highlight the need to take a highly precautionary approach.

Read more:

Novel Coronavirus – important information for aged care workers, residents and families

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) resources

Throughout 2020, Ansell Strategic Operations Team will be releasing regular newsletters focusing on operational challenges we are recognising across the sector. We will explore the intent of each Standard and consider the issues faced by providers, and how to overcome them. We will also share examples of best practice and innovation.

In this edition of Out In Front, Ansell Strategic considers the need for aged care services in Australia to move beyond the Aged Care Quality Standards. We explore how the intent of the Standards must be understood in order to interpret them and translate their intent into aged care practice.

There is mounting data to evidence the magnitude of providers who are struggling to comprehend and practice in a way that aligns with regulatory and consumer expectations and standards. These Standards should be the baseline, not the benchmark.

Read more:

Out in Front – Making the New Standards Matter (.pdf)