Your Aged Care Update # 47

Notable dates

Webinar: New Aged Care Act and Support at Home update
14 December

Register now

Survey: Aged care pay rise satisfaction survey

Closing 15 December

Take survey

Webinar: Home Care Packages program assurance review findings
7 December

Register now

In this issue

    Sector News

    COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension grant finalisation

    We have now finalised the process for the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension (GO4863) grant. All applications have been assessed.

    From Friday 15 December 2023, we will no longer accept correspondence regarding this grant process unless specific information is requested by the department.

    This grant provided support to aged care providers managing the impact of COVID-19 between 28 May 2021 and 31 December 2022. Applications for the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension (GO4863) grant closed on 31 March 2023.

    Visit our website for information on current supports for managing COVID-19 outbreaks.
     

    Celebrating our volunteers in aged care

    Today is International Volunteer Day. This is a chance to celebrate the positive impact volunteers make in the aged care sector and in communities around Australia. 

    The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) encourages volunteering in aged care. 

    Volunteer visitors give companionship to older people receiving government subsidised aged care services in an aged care home or who have a Home Care Package (HCP). 

    Regular visits from volunteers can help improve the quality of life of older people and help them feel less isolated. 

    Become a volunteer, refer someone to receive visits or watch our heart-warming stories of volunteers and older persons’ experiences of the program on our website.
     

    Free translating and interpreting services for aged care providers

    Did you know that you can get free translating and interpreting services to help older people and their carers navigate the aged care system?
    This is useful for people who are: 

    • from a culturally and linguistically diverse background 

    • First Nations  

    • deaf 

    • blind  

    • deafblind  

    • hard of hearing.

    These services include: 

    Older people who require translated information or interpreting services when contacting My Aged Care should be directed to the My Aged Care website. Follow the links above to understand and access these free services for your organisation.
     

    National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence

    Older people you care for could be experiencing coercive control.

    The Attorney General’s Department has released the National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence. The Principles set out a shared understanding of characteristics and impacts of coercive control, and guide consideration of how to:

    • identify and address coercive control

    • support victim survivor safety and healing

    • reinforce perpetrator accountability.

    You can read the principles and access a range of resources, including a guide for healthcare workers.
    If you have questions, or want further information about the National Principles, contact:

    Residential care

    AN-ACC price increased

    On 1 December 2023, the Australian Government announced an investment of a more than $2 billion in residential aged care. This increases the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) price to $253.82. 

    This additional funding supports aged care homes to pay the full increase in award wages for care staff, as handed down by the Fair Work Commission. 

    Funding includes:  

    • $ 2.2 billion in AN-ACC funding 

    • $21.5 million in 24/7 registered nurse supplement funding. 

    The funding increase includes back pay for the 1 July to 30 November period.   
    For more information see: 

    Be prepared for food and medicine safety during power outages

    Heatwaves, storms and bushfires can cause power outages. Power outages can have an effect on food and medication safety if fridges and freezers are affected. This means food may become unsafe to eat.

    If you experience a power outage: 

    • make note of the time the power failed  

    • keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. 

    Some medicines deteriorate and lose effectiveness if not refrigerated. You should always have a cool pack and cooler bricks at hand for refrigerated medicines.

    For information about the safety or storage of a particular medicine, contact Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

    NSW Health has developed a guide about these risks and staying safe and healthy during extended power outages.  

    Online survey: Medication Advisory Committees

    Are you a member of a residential aged care Medication Advisory Committee? 
     
    Monash University would like your help on research about the structure, scope and function of Medication Advisory Committees in Australia.

    To take part, complete this online survey expression of interest form.

    The online survey questions are based on our department documents: 

    • audit tool and checklist for Medication Advisory Committees  

    • user guide: role of a Medication Advisory Committee.

    In-home care

    Support at Home to be rolled out in two stages

    The new Support at Home program will be delivered in two stages to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of care for older people.

    • From 1 July 2025, Support at Home will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme.

    • The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027.

    We will continue to work with HCP and STRC providers to ensure they are prepared to transition to Support at Home well ahead of 1 July 2025.

    Register for an online information session:

    • Webinar: New Aged Care Act and Support at Home update, 14 December, 2 - 3:30 pm (AEDT), Register Now

    • Q&A Session for aged care providers on Support at Home, 18 December , 11:30 am - 1 pm (AEDT), Register Now

    If you are unable to attend, you will be able to view the webinar recording or attend further Q&A sessions in February 2024 (to be announced).
     

    The Home Care Packages Program Data Report is now available

    We have released the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Data Report for the period 1 July – 30 September 2023
     
    Key findings at 30 September 2023: 

    • 277,564 people had access to a HCP, a 13% increase from the previous 12 months. 

      • Of these, 264,160 people were receiving care, a 17% increase from the previous 12 months.  

    • There were 41,950 people in the National Priority System waiting for a package at their approved level. This is a 5% decrease from the previous 12 months.

    Transitioning some Disability Support for Older Australians Program clients to in-home aged care

    From 1 January 2025, the Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program is refocusing on older people with disability who cannot be supported by the in-home aged care system.

    Clients will need to transition out of the DSOA Program by 31 December 2024 if they:

    • live at home

    • access less than $50,000 per year in funded supports

    • can receive comparable services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Packages (HCP) Program.

    On 1 and 2 November 2023 we sent a letter to DSOA providers with a list of clients who will need to transition.

    If you received this letter, please:

    • notify these clients

    • provide a copy of the client factsheet

    • encourage clients to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 as soon as possible to confirm their details and organise an aged care assessment and/or referral to CHSP or HCP.

    If you have any questions, please email CommonwealthDSOA@health.gov.au.

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    Aged Care Quality Bulletin #59 - November 2023

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    Tender for single assessment system