News

Seven new case studies have been added to the Guidance material to support providers’ understanding of the Quality Standards in practice.

They provide examples of consumers receiving care and services in rural and remote locations, and include home care and community care settings.

Case studies are on:

• Dignity of risk
• Effective management of high-impact or high-prevalence risks
• Emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being
• End of life care
• Feedback and complaints
• Ongoing assessment and planning
• Respecting identity, culture and diversity
• Service environment

Read more:

Case Studies

We are seeking your feedback on two proposed alternative models for allocating residential aged care places that encourage greater consumer choice. Your suggestions for other allocation models are also welcome.

Visit the department’s Consultation Hub to view the discussion paper and provide feedback through the online survey – closes on Friday 13 September, 11.59 pm (AEST).

Read more:

Reminder to have your say on alternative models for allocating residential aged care places

Residential aged care: Proposed alternative models for allocating places

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Getting to know the Standards – Standard 1, Consumer Dignity and Choice
• Publication of Serious Risk decisions
• New ways of collecting feedback about home services
• Heater Burn Alert – Residential aged care beds placed next to heaters
• Website updates
• AAIC Satellite Symposium Conference
• Walking safely with dementia
• Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #8, August 2019

5 Hearings are currently upcoming:

Melbourne Hearing 1 – Younger people in residential aged care

Melbourne hearing 1 will inquire into younger people in residential aged care, with a focus on impact, drivers and appropriateness of allocation policy as well as how to best support young people wishing to leave residential aged care.

• Date: 9 – 11 September and 13 September 2019
• Location: Ceremonial Court room, Level 3, County Court, 250 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Time: 9:30am local time

Melbourne Hearing 2 – Diversity in aged care

Melbourne hearing 2 will inquire into diversity in aged care, including culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTI groups, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, care leavers, veterans, and the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.

• Date: 7 – 9 October and 11 October 2019
• Location: Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Time: 9:30am local time

Melbourne Hearing 3 – Aged care workforce

Melbourne hearing 3 will inquire into the aged care workforce, with a focus on how to enhance capacity and how to make the aged care sector a more attractive and rewarding place to work.

• Date: 14 – 18 October 2019
• Location: Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Time: 9:30am local time

Mudgee Hearing – Provision of aged care in regional areas

The Mudgee Hearing will inquire into arrangements for and issues associated with the provision of aged care services in regional areas, including Multi-Purpose Services. The Hearing will have a particular focus on aged care services in the Mudgee region.

• Date: 4 – 6 November 2019
• Location: TBC
• Time: 9:30am local time

Hobart Hearing – Aged care operations of selected Approved Providers

The Hobart Hearing will inquire into the operations of selected Approved Providers that operate residential aged care facilities in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia.

• Date: 11 – 15 November 2019
• Location: TBC
• Time: 9:30am local time

Read more:

Hearings

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

Stakeholders tell inquiry how to improve aged care

Australian seniors forced to surrender pets when entering aged care

Public officials raise aged care concerns

We Need To Rethink How We Do Palliative Care

Bupa Eden Holds Onto Accreditation Despite Repeated Sanctions

Aged care residents malnourished, staff panicked, Hobart dietitian tells royal commission

Low-means residents have a special place in aged-care homes

Elderly aged care residents in teeth cleaning trial had better health outcomes, researchers say

Could intergenerational care be the answer to our aged care crisis?

Aged care costs surge amid low rates

Man Dies In Aged Care After Head Stuck In Drawer

Should It Be Compulsory For Personal Care Staff To Have First-Aid Training?

Resident takes on role as provider’s newsletter editor

Measuring quality of life in aged care

Technology an important enabler for aged care, says Colbeck

Two Government Nursing Homes Fail 21 Standards

Riverland aged care facilities to stay open despite failing 21 of 44 operating requirements

Aged Care Funded To Be Homes, Not Hospitals

Audits, Assessments, Reviews: The Different Ways The Quality Commission Assesses Nursing Homes

There have been edits to the Guidance and Resources for Providers to support the Aged Care Quality Standards.

New legislation:

• Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Quality Indicator Program) Principles 2019

New Resources for:

• Clinical Governance
• End of life care
• Nutrition
• Open disclosure
• Spiritual well-being

Other:

• New Case studies for consumers receiving care and services in rural and remote locations
• Minor edits and updates to broken links

Read more:

Updated 2 September 2019

The department is seeking feedback on a Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) for residential aged care.

This consultation aims to assist in the development of the finer details of a SIRS and inform further advice to government on structure and operation, legislative requirements and resourcing implications.

Submissions are now open on the department’s Consultation Hub. Feedback on the consultation paper should be submitted by 4 October 2019.

Read more:

Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

In this issue:

• Provide your feedback on the future of aged care system navigation
• Inside Ageing’s Future of Ageing Awards 2019

Residential Care:

• Residential Aged Care Funding Reform update
• MDFA Survey – Help evaluate the impact of digital training tools for Residential Aged Care Facilities

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2019/12 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Regulatory Bulletin – Reconsideration of regulatory decisions
• Aged Care Workforce Industry Council commences work
• Victorian Government is committed to conduct food audit in hospital and aged care centres
• Have your say on proposed alternative models for allocating residential aged care places
• Deeming rates and base interest rate (BIR) changes

Read more:

Aged Care Bulletin – 29 August 2019

The Aged Care Forms Taskforce webinar was a huge success, with a large number of aged care stakeholders logging in to hear about the new and simplified aged care means assessment forms.

There were plenty of questions throughout the session, with questions and answers (Q&A) emailed to registered participants.

If you did not register to attend on 24 June, the webinar, supporting documents, and the Q&A are publicly available on the CCH Learning website.

Read more:

Webinar Q&A ‘Navigating the new Aged Care Means Assessment’

CCH Learning website – Navigating the New Aged Care Means Assessment Forms