Publications
Living Longer Living Better Aged Care Reform Update No 6 - 14 January 2013
Welcome to the sixth edition of the Aged Care Reform Update. This newsletter provides regular updates from the Department of Health and Ageing on the implementation of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
Living Longer Living Better websiteAs part of keeping everyone regularly informed on the progress and implementation of aged care reform and how it will affect them, the Department of Health and Ageing recently launched the Living Longer Living Better website. This new website offers information in the form of fact sheets, publications, media releases, frequently asked questions, a discussion forum, these newsletters, and updates on the progress of aged care reforms. This new website also offers all readers the opportunity to subscribe to further editions of this newsletter and updates on the implementation of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package. The website is also the place to go for further information on any of the articles in this newsletter.
Simply go to the Living Longer Living Better website
Accommodation payments
Minister Butler has now announced the methodology that will be used to determine the level(s) of accommodation payments that an approved provider can levy on care recipients for entry to an aged care home from 1 July 2014. Additionally, Minister Butler announced the methodology that will be applied to calculate Refundable Accommodation Deposits and equivalent Daily Accommodation Payments. These changes are expected to directly impact older Australians, their families and the aged care industry and it is important that charges for accommodation reflect the true cost of the accommodation provided to aged care recipients.
This announcement comes following the development of draft recommendations on accommodation payments by the Aged Care Financing Authority, which were released for public comment from 8 November until 21 November 2012. The Authority then provided Minister Butler with its final recommendations on 28 November 2012.
Significant refurbishment and accommodation supplement
The Living Longer Living Better package includes measures designed to encourage ongoing capital investment in residential aged care through payment of an increased maximum accommodation supplement from July 2014 for residents in facilities that are built or significantly refurbished from 20 April 2012. The maximum level of this supplement will be increased from $32.58 to $52.84.
Following a public consultation process, the Aged Care Financing Authority provided its recommendations to the Government regarding the definition of ‘significant refurbishment’. After considering the advice, the Government has decided to accept the Authority’s recommendations.
The definition of significant refurbishment ensures that improvements to facilities benefit residents, in particular supported residents, and that costs are capitalised and meet a minimum aggregate monetary value requirement.
Lesbian. Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Ageing and Aged Care Strategy
The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy (the LGBTI Strategy) was launched by Minister Butler, on 20 December 2012 at Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria at La Trobe University, Melbourne.
The LGBTI Strategy provides a framework for LGBTI inclusion in aged care and a commitment to make the needs of LGBTI people understood, respected and visible in Australia’s aged care policies and planning. Actions under the Strategy include support for LGBTI people, their families and carers to receive culturally appropriate aged care services, national sensitivity training for the aged care workforce, and the continuation of funding to support innovative programs and projects that address the needs of older LGBTI people.
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Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy
On 20 December 2012, the National Ageing and Aged Care Strategy (the CALD Strategy) for people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds was launched at SydWest Multicultural Services in Blacktown.
The CALD Strategy provides a framework for the inclusion of people from CALD backgrounds in all activities and in the provision of aged care services. It will assist the aged care sector in considering CALD appropriate practices within their organisations. Actions under the Strategy include developing initiatives that are responsive to the needs of older people from CALD backgrounds, continuing support of innovative programs and projects, and working with the CALD sector to develop and provide cultural competency training for aged care services.
Aged Care Funding Instrument
From 1 February 2013, changes will be made to the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) for all appraisals completed on or after that date. The changes will be made through amendments to the ACFI User Guide and ACFI Answer Appraisal Pack. These changes are designed to strengthen the evidence requirements and reinforce the original intent of the ACFI. As such, many approved providers will already be meeting the new requirements. The changes have been developed in consultation with sector representatives through the ACFI Monitoring Group and its sub-group the ACFI Technical Reference Group.
Further information on the ACFI will be available on the Living Longer Living Better website later this month.
Thanks for reading
2012 was a very big year. Since the announcement of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms by the Minister in April, much progress has been made on the implementation of the reforms. Progress to date includes two new levels of home care being available in the 2012-13 Aged Care Approvals Round; Health Ministers agreeing to make dementia the ninth National Health Priority Area; new protections for aged care residents; incentives for more investment in aged care; and the release of the LGBTI and CALD Strategies. The Government is committed to continuing to deliver important benefits to older Australians in 2013.
Thank you for reading these newsletters. We encourage you to visit the Living Longer Living Better website for all the latest news on the aged care reforms. We also invite you to have your say on the reforms by leaving a comment on the Living Longer Living Better discussion forum.
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