Consultation open: foundations of the new Aged Care Act
Consultation on the proposed foundations of the new Aged Care Act (new Act) is now open.
As recommended by the Royal Commission, the new Act will be rights-based and place the care needs of older people at the centre of the aged care system. Your feedback will inform drafting of the new Act.
You can find the consultation paper, factsheets, a survey, and additional information on how to get involved and provide your feedback at the Aged Care Engagement Hub.
Don’t forget to register to attend the webinar on 10 August 2023 where we will explain the proposed changes and respond to your questions. Register for the webinar: Foundations of the new Aged Care Act.
Consultation open: how aged care is funded
The Aged Care Taskforce (Taskforce) is seeking feedback on funding arrangements for aged care to develop options for a system that is fair and equitable for everyone in Australia.
Consultation is now open and the Taskforce want to hear from you. Your feedback will help the Taskforce provide robust and appropriate advice to Government.
The Taskforce will provide the Australian Government with recommendations in December 2023. It will also provide interim advice in October 2023.
To make a submission, visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub.
Submissions close 5pm Thursday 31 August 2023 (AEST).
New video series: introduction to Aged Care
We have released a new Introduction to Aged Care video series.The videos are designed to help attract workers to the sector and support staff induction.
Each video includes a facilitation guide and topics include:
- getting a job in aged care
- infection control
- scope of practice.
The videos feature First Nations staff working in aged care with their local communities and can be used for any culturally and linguistically diverse people.
Rural, remote and First Nations providers will find the video series very useful to introduce or reinforce knowledge of the aged care system.
View the Introduction to aged care – videos and facilitator guides on our website. The videos are also available on YouTube: Introduction to Aged Care.
Webinar: Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme
The Community Visitors Scheme has been expanded and is now the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme. The scheme continues to support volunteer visits to socially isolated and lonely older people, with additional volunteer placements available across Australia.
Join us for a webinar to understand the changes, hear about the benefits of volunteer visitors and have your questions answered in a live Q&A session.
The webinar is designed for Home Care Package and residential aged care providers. It is not relevant for Commonwealth Home Support Programme providers.
When: Thursday 24 August from 2-2:45pm (AEST).
Register for the webinar: Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme
It's in Your Hands: campaign from LiveUp
Independent Living Assessment’s LiveUp has launched a campaign It’s in Your Hands to promote healthy ageing.
The campaign hopes to bust myths and explain the science behind healthy ageing as well as raise awareness of helpful assistive technology and exercises.
For more information about healthy ageing, visit the LiveUp website or call 1800 951 971.
Register now: specialised services for diverse groups
If you deliver specialised care to diverse communities, find out how you can have this specialisation verified and reflected on My Aged Care.
Earlier this year we removed all unverified claims of specialised services from the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool. Our aim is to make it easy for people to find specialised care. We also want to recognise providers who have carefully developed services to meet special needs
We’d love to share your story if you are a provider who has already been verified. We want to encourage others to apply. Please email ageing.and.diversity@health.gov.au
Read more about specialisation verification and how to apply.
Clinical alert: medication transcribing and dispensing errors
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has issued a clinical alert on preventing medication transcribing and dispensing errors in residential aged care. This follows the preventable death of an aged care resident, a serious reminder about the importance of medication protocols.
Read the Alert: Preventing medication transcribing and dispensing errors on the Commission’s website.
The key points to remember when transcribing and dispensing medications, the 6 ‘rights’ of administering medication and suggestions for improving systems are outlined in the National Residential Medication Chart User Guide for Nursing Staff.
Food satisfaction questionnaire for aged care homes
We have partnered with the Maggie Beer Foundation to deliver the free Improving Food in Aged Care through Education and Training program for aged care cooks and chefs over the next 3 years.
As part of the program, all aged care homes can complete a food satisfaction questionnaire. The questionnaire, developed by Flinders University, captures feedback from residents, families and food service staff.
Results will guide homes to improve the food, nutrition, and dining experience for their residents.
You can sign up now on the Maggie Beer Foundation’s website. Flinders University will then provide you with more information and support to complete the questionnaire. It can be completed online, or in print.
The questionnaire is available now until December 2023.
Find out about other programs available for chefs and cooks.
Webinar: oral and dental health and its impact on eating and nutrition
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will be hosting a webinar on oral and dental health and its impact on eating and nutrition.
When: Friday 11 August from 2.30pm-3.30pm (AEST).
The webinar will discuss actions residential aged care services can take to support the daily oral health of their residents. This includes:
- common oral health problems and their impacts on the dining experience
- signs of oral and dental issues
- the role of oral health in nutrition
- best practices for good routine oral and dental care including in a dementia setting
- denture care and maintenance.
Register for the webinar: oral and dental health and its impact on eating and nutrition