Your Aged Care Update # 03/24
Notable dates
24/7 registered nurse (RN) report
Due 7 February 2024
Workshops for new Aged Care Act
Now until 14 February
News about the reforms
New Aged Care Act consultation still open
Consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act is still open.
The new Act will impact everyone connected to aged care. We invite you to have your say on the draft Act before it becomes law.
There is still time to have your say. You can:
attend an in-person workshop in your local area
complete a survey online or by calling our consultation line on 1800 318 209
send us an email or letter.
Public consultation closes 16 February 2024.
New Aged Care Act – latest webinar and upcoming workshops
We recently held a question and answer (Q&A) webinar as part of the consultation on the draft of the new Aged Care Act.
It was an opportunity for attendees to join a panel of experts from the department and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and ask questions about the draft Act and how to participate in the consultation.
A recording of this Q&A panel discussion webinar is now available.
As part of our consultation, we are also running a series of 4-hour in-person workshops around Australia until 14 February.
You can attend a workshop near you and provide your feedback on the draft law.
There is no cost to attend.
Access the schedule of workshops and register to attend now.
Sector news
COVID-19: Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement
The new Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement is available to eligible providers from 1 February to 31 December 2024 with payments commencing from 1 March 2024.
Providers will receive an annual amount of $941.35:
per occupied bed for approved residential aged care providers (monthly payments will commence from March 2024)
per operational place for Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) providers (with funding provided through existing arrangements).
The supplement supports providers to proactively plan for and manage outbreaks, including COVID-19 and associated workforce requirements.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid antigen test (RAT) kits will be distributed from the National Medical Stockpile to 30 April 2024.
Read more about support for providers and workers.
Webinar: Sector readiness for the new Quality Standards
Providers are invited to join a webinar on sector readiness for the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
When: Tuesday 6 February, 1:00 pm (AEDT)
The webinar is being hosted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the Department of Health and Aged Care. The session will include:
an overview of the new strengthened Quality Standards
how the strengthened Quality standards relate to the new Aged Care Act
supporting sector readiness
how to take part in the consultation process
what we’ll do with your feedback
timeframes.
Questions can be submitted prior to or during the webinar and will be addressed in a Q&A at the end of the session.
Register for the webinar.
In-home care
Webinars: Supporting older people experiencing vision loss
Vision loss is life changing. Understanding how to support an older person going through this transition is important.
Vision Australia is offering free webinars for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers.
Learn how older people experiencing vision loss are supported through the Check in and Chat program. The sessions cover:
how to support people both emotionally and practically to regain their independence
feedback from previous program participants
advice on supporting older people through vision loss.
There are two one hour webinar sessions coming up:
Wednesday 14 February, 1:00 pm (AEDT) - register now
Wednesday 21 February, 12:00 pm (AEDT) - register now
If you have any questions, please email megan.kohlhagen@visionaustralia.org.
Workforce
National Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program
If you work with older people, learn how to identify and support someone experiencing thoughts of suicide. This program will provide the skills you need.
Anglicare offers free suicide prevention training workshops for those caring for or working with older people.
You will learn about:
warning signs of suicide
common risk factors for older people
how to have a conversation and refer someone to professional support.
The online workshops run for 3 hours and no prior mental health knowledge is required.
The program is accredited against the Suicide Prevention Australia standards and funded by the NSW and Australian governments.
If you are interested, email Anglicare at suicide.prevention@anglicare.org.au or visit suicide prevention for seniors on the Anglicare website.