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Living Longer. Living Better. Aged Care Reform Update No 3 - 17 August 2012

Welcome to the third edition of the Aged Care Reform Update. This newsletter provides regular updates from the Department of Health and Ageing on the progress of the implementation of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package

PDF printable version of Living Longer. Living Better. Aged Care Reform Update No 3 - 17 August 2012 (PDF 113 KB)

Dementia as a National Health Priority Area

On 10 August 2012, following a motion from Minister Butler and the Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP at a meeting of national Health Ministers, it was agreed to include dementia as the ninth National Health Priority Area. This will enhance the development of a new National Framework for Action on Dementia, which will contribute to current and future work being undertaken in the area.

Through Living Longer Living Better, the Government will provide $268.4 million over five years to tackle dementia.

National Aged Care Conference 2012

On 6 and 7 August 2012, the Department was pleased to host the 2012 National Aged Care Conference, Living Longer Living Better, in Adelaide.

The conference was a fantastic two days where over 1,000 sector delegates from across the country came together. The first day of the conference showcased the Living Longer Living Better package, with an opening address from Minister Butler followed by a keynote address by the Chair of the Aged Care Reform Implementation Council, Professor Peter Shergold AC. The second day focussed on aged care assessment in the context of the reform package.

Speakers shared ideas and innovative practices relating to the key themes of the reforms: access, choice and control, quality, wellness and re-ablement. Panel discussions covered topics including the future of aged care, navigating the system and aged care assessment. President of Alzheimer’s Australia, Ita Buttrose AO OBE, spoke about dementia and the Ambassador for Ageing, Noeline Brown, highlighted the importance of healthy and active ageing.

The key note addresses and plenary sessions were recorded and can be accessed via the National Aged Care Conference website at www.conference2012.agedcare.gov.au. Conference presentations and communiques will also be made available.

Aged Care Reform Implementation Council

On 1 August 2012, the five members of the Aged Care Reform Implementation Council were appointed. The members have been selected on the basis of their diverse knowledge and expertise across the public and private sectors. The members are the Hon Susan Ryan AO, Professor Ann Harding, Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Mr Jeff Lawrence and Judge Rauf Soulio.

The Council held its inaugural meeting in Adelaide on 7 August 2012, where for the first time members discussed their implementation agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for October 2012.

Aged Care Financing Authority

On 1 August 2012, Minister Butler also announced the establishment of the Aged Care Financing Authority. Its role is to provide transparent and independent advice to the Government on pricing and financing issues in aged care. The Chair of the Authority is Ms Lynda O’Grady and the Deputy Chair is Professor Graeme Hugo. Other members are Mr Ian Yates, Mr Nick Mersiades, Ms Sue Lines, Mr Paul Gregersen and Ms Sally Evans. The first meeting was held on 9 August 2012 with a second scheduled for later in August.

The Government has worked with providers, financiers and consumer representatives to make sure the scope of the Authority is sufficient for it to consider both investment needs and value for money for consumers.

On 6 August 2012, the Authority’s Interim Operating Framework was published. The Framework sets out the responsibilities of the Authority. It can be accessed via the "Living Longer, Living Better" website at www.livinglongerlivingbetter.gov.au. The Framework will be finalised by 31 October 2012.

Changes to the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI)

On 10 August 2012, the first meeting of the ACFI Monitoring Group was held in Canberra. Chaired by the Department, the Group has members representing a range of aged care provider, consumer and professional organisations. Members have been appointed with the expectation that they will consult widely with their organisations' membership. The Group will monitor the impact of the ACFI changes to ensure those changes are working as intended.

Home Care Packages and Consumer Directed Care (CDC)

The Department with the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) has established an expert working group to provide advice on the key design elements of the new Home Care packages and CDC. The working group includes a cross-selection of peak bodies and aged care providers, consumer and carer groups, unions in the aged care sector, and representatives from professional bodies in the disability services sector.

Aged Care Strategic Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG)

Since the last Aged Care Reform Update, the SWAG has met on 24 July 2012 and 8 August 2012. The SWAG is giving thorough consideration to a range of workforce issues as it develops the Aged Care Workforce Compact, including remuneration, training and skills development, career progression, flexible working arrangements, workplace health and safety, and productivity.
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