Media Hub

June 2008

30 June 2008

Annual Indexation Comes Into Effect on July 1 – A Further $163 Million – Invested Into Australian Residential and Home Aged Care

From July 1, the annual indexation for residential care, community care and flexible care comes into effect - adding more than $163 million in extra Commonwealth government funding. Payments to residential aged care subsidies and supplements will increase by $152 million and community care subsidies by $11 million.

30 June 2008

Pensioners’ Rally statement by Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot

The Australian Government was committed to building a modern Australia capable of tackling the challenges of the 21st century.

30 June 2008

Record number of visits begin on July 1 – nursing homes

From July 1, the Australian Government‘s Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency – the independent watchdog – will undertake a record 7,000 visits to the nation’s 2,870 nursing homes during 2008-2009.

28 June 2008

Funding boost - transition care - helping older Australians retain their independence after a hospital stay

The Australian Government today announced the first stage of its $293.2 million transition care program to help older Australians recover and regain their independence after a major hospital stay.

26 June 2008

‘Apartments For Life’ innovative Dutch model lets 95 per cent of older people stay in their own homes

Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot met on 26 June with developers of an innovative Dutch housing model which allows 95 per cent of older people to live in their own homes until the end of their lives. This is known as "ageing in place".

25 June 2008

Helping Older Australians Enjoy the Movies: Accessible cinema June 25, 2008 – Federal Parliament – House of Representatives

In a statement to the House of Representatives on 25 June, Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot announced that the Federal Government will commit $350,000 in one-off funding to expand access to the cinema for some of the four million Australians with a hearing impairment under the plan “Helping Older Australians Enjoy the Movies: Accessible Cinema”

25 June 2008

New Aged Care Advisory Committee Improves Consultation with Sector

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot announced on 25 June a revamped industry advisory committee to improve consultation with the sector, workforce and consumers representing residents and older Australians. The new Ageing Consultative Committee includes commercial and not-for-profit aged care providers, consumer groups, professional and union bodies.

25 June 2008

Helping Older Australians Enjoy the Movies: Accessible Cinema

The Federal Government today announced a plan to improve smaller independent cinemas for some of the four million people with vision and hearing impairment with special audio description (AD) equipment and captioning.

24 June 2008

Minister for Ageing meets with Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home – and presents two Community Service Awards

The Federal Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today met in Canberra with Sydney Jewish residential aged care providers – the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home congratulating them for delivering 119 years of care to older Jewish-Australians.

23 June 2008

Australian Government’s Positive and Active Ageing Plan

The Federal Government has committed to a greater focus on positive and active ageing – as part of its social inclusion and reducing social isolation agenda

20 June 2008

Aged And Community Care Victoria Annual State Congress Melbourne Park Function Centre 20 June 2008

20 June 2008

$2.45 Million Demonstration Site Shows Easier Community Care Access

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and Minister for Senior Victorians, Lisa Neville, have launched a 'one stop shop' for community care in eastern Melbourne.

20 June 2008

$8.7 Million to Enhance Quality Aged Care

Nursing Homes across Australia will benefit from a new funding round worth more than $8.7 million to encourage homes to use improved evidence-based clinical care.

20 June 2008

Australian Government’s Zero Real Interest Loans Program – 115 Applications Received

Australian Government has provided a progress report on its Zero Real Interest Loans program to help create hostel and nursing home places in areas of high need.

19 June 2008

Minister for Ageing Releases Queensland Aged Care Data: $5.4 Billion Over Next Four Years

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot released on 19 June financial data showing record Commonwealth financial support for Queensland aged care providers – totalling $5.4 billion over the next four years.

18 June 2008

Transcript with the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot - Edgarley Home

Interview, Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot on the Edgarley Home in Casterton, where four residents were taken to hospital after being given food tainted with caustic soda.

18 June 2008

Minister welcomes Alzheimer's research and reports strong funding for dementia in Australia

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has welcomed Australian research on the detection of early-stage Alzheimer's

18 June 2008

Minister's statement on Edgarley Hostel/Edgarley Home in rural Victoria.

Statement on Edgarley Hostel/Edgarley Home in rural Victoria

17 June 2008

Minister for Ageing Approves Another $163 Million – Further Investment in Australian Residential and Home Aged Care

The Australian Government has added more than $163 million in Commonwealth Government funding to residential, community and flexible care.

16 June 2008

Minister for Ageing Meets With Anglicare

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, met Anglicare Australia, the country's fourth-largest aged care provider, in Canberra this week.

16 June 2008

New Dementia Resource to Improve Quality of Life

Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot today released a new dementia resource to help improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and assist those who care for them.

15 June 2008

Minister for Ageing Statement on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot took the opportunity on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to remind older Australians that they are entitled to the full protection of the law whether in their homes or nursing homes.

13 June 2008

Elliot welcomes arrival of NSW Office of Ageing $1million boost to local economy and 10 jobs

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today welcomed the relocation of the NSW Government’s Office for Ageing from Sydney to Tweed Heads - creating around 10 new jobs and boosting the local economy by $1 million annually.

13 June 2008

Ministers for Ageing tackle tough aged care issues

At an historic inaugural meeting held on the NSW North Coast today, Australian ministers responsible for ageing and aged care, as well as well as representatives of the Australian Local Government Association, agreed to work together and respond to Australia’s changing ageing population.

13 June 2008

$2m funding for psychogeriatric research

The Australian Government is providing $2 million in research funding to assist in the study of the care and treatment of people with psychogeriatric conditions in aged care homes.

13 June 2008

New national protocol: plan to look after elderly Australians living alone

A new national protocol for community care service providers has been proposed aimed at reducing the number of frail older Australians dying alone at home and reducing delays until deaths are discovered.

12 June 2008

Older people benefit from local abuse prevention campaign

Older people in the Northern Rivers region of NSW will benefit from a locally developed elder abuse prevention campaign launched by the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, on 12 June.

12 June 2008

Minister for Ageing: AIHW Report on Residential Aged Care

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has welcomed the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report, “Residential Aged Care in Australia 2006-2007”.

12 June 2008

Historic meeting of ministers for ageing/seniors – responding to Australia’s changing demographics

Practical plans to respond to social isolation among older Australians will be on the agenda when the inaugural Ministerial Conference of Ageing meets on 13 June. The meeting will comprise the relevant federal, state and territory ministers, and will bring together – for the first time – all of the nation’s ministers responsible for aged care homes, community care and the welfare of our nation’s older citizens.

11 June 2008

Preventing fall injuries for farmers over 55

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has launched a guide aimed at reducing the number of serious and potentially fatal falls experienced by older Australian farmers while working on their farms.

11 June 2008

More transparency with new members on Aged Care Planning Advisory Committees

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, said on 11 June that new membership of the Aged Care Planning Advisory Committees would increase accountability and transparency. Mrs Elliot has called for nominations for the committees, which would provide input into the 2008 aged care planning process.

10 June 2008

Minister commends 1.6m-calls-a-year hi-tech centre

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has visited a WA operations centre which uses the latest technology to help manage its aged care services.

10 June 2008

Minister Praises WA Jewish Aged Care Service

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, visited the Perth Jewish Aged Home Society at Dianella on 10 June and praised the centre for its work with people with dementia; its safe environment; and the special care provided by staff and volunteers.

10 June 2008

Government recognises outstanding senior Australians

The Australian Government today recognised two prominent Fremantle residents for their significant contribution to improving the lives of senior Australians.

10 June 2008

New Day Respite Service Gives Western Australian Carers a Break

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has opened the Coolibah Day Centre as part of a $34.6 million commitment to fund innovative day respite services within aged care homes. The Coolibah Day Centre is within the Mandurah Retirement Village, Western Australia.

09 June 2008

Perth Aged Care Facility hit by mini-tornado

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has visited the Tanby Hall aged care facility in Cooloongup, which was hit by a mini-tornado on 9 June.

09 June 2008

More Support for Aged Care Providers with the ACFI

Aged care providers – including rural and smaller ones or those with specific needs – will be able to get practical advice on the new funding model from a dedicated free advisory service. Department of Health and Ageing recently appointed KPMG – which has set up a project office – to deal with requests for assistance from Australia’s 2,870 nursing homes as they make the transition to new funding arrangements.

06 June 2008

New Service Helps People with Dementia, Carers and Families

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has announced a new service in Queensland to support people with dementia and their carers.

04 June 2008

Extra $4 million brings total funding to $162 million for older, people with disabilities and carers in Tasmania

A funding boost of $4 million will improve care for older people, younger people with a disability and their carers in Tasmania.

04 June 2008

Minister welcomes Queensland decision to exempt aged care providers from paying land tax

The Australian Government today applauded the decision by the Queensland Government - in its 2008-2009 Budget - to exempt residential aged care providers from paying land tax as part of the measure “Tax concessions to assist older persons”.

03 June 2008

Minister releases accreditation report by previous government

The Australian Government has reiterated its support for the accreditation of Australia's aged care homes.

02 June 2008

Early returns for new aged care funding – the ACFI–show: better care for residents; more funding for providers and less red tape

Leading aged care providers are reporting that the Federal Government’s new aged care funding model is delivering better care as well as reducing red tape.

02 June 2008

Minister outlines payment plan for Bridgewater staff

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot today officially outlined the Federal Government’s financial support plan for the 156 staff at the Bridgewater Aged Care facility in Melbourne.

02 June 2008

Minister for Ageing announces measures for residents who go missing from aged care facilities

The Australian Government will require nursing home services to report any case of missing residents – a measure to further protect and enhance safety for residents, particularly those with a diagnosis of dementia.

01 June 2008

Minister officially signs documents to continue Conditional Adjustment Payment – part of $28.6 billion to nursing homes over next four years

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot formally signed the documentation to continue and increase the Conditional Adjustment Payment (CAP) beyond June 30