The Australian Government Department of Health is currently delivering $18.3 billion in aged care reforms together with the aged care sector. Our vision is for aged care services to be accessible, high quality and to care for senior Australians with respect and dignity.
In this issue, learn how to be involved in the development of new quality measures and improving communications with the home services sector. You can also find out about the expansion of the eligibility criteria for the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment.
Please share this newsletter with your networks, and encourage them to subscribe. You can also visit the Engagement Hub to get involved in the aged care reforms.
More nurses now eligible for Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment
The Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment to reward clinical skills and leadership now has expanded eligibility criteria to include a six-month payment.
Registered nurses (RNs) who work for an aged care employer for a six-month period will now be eligible for a half-payment. Eligibility periods for the six-month payment are:
- 1 May 2022 – 31 October 2022
- 1 May 2023 – 31 October 2023.
Under the changes, RNs working in large and medium rural towns (MMM 3-4) will also be able to receive an additional payment on top of the base payment, along with RNs working in remote areas (MMM 5-7).
These changes mean more nurses will receive more money under this payment. The payment is part of the Government’s $17.7 billion aged care reform package.
Find out more information on the department’s website.
Get involved: Aged care services encouraged to pilot new quality measures
The department is developing additional quality indicators for the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program, for use in residential and in-home aged care.
Providers of residential and in-home aged care services are invited to register for a six-week pilot program to test and assess new proposed quality indicators. The pilot will start in March 2022.
This is an opportunity to shape future quality measures for aged care and support your readiness for future expansion of the QI Program.
Please register your interest by clicking the link on the Ageing and Aged Care Engagement Hub.
Support at Home Assessment Trial Living Lab and Advisory Group
A new aged care assessment model incorporating a new assessment tool and process is being developed as part of the new Support at Home program.
A ‘Living Lab’ trial to test and improve the assessment model will occur in the first half of 2022. The department has engaged Flinders University which is working with the Global Centre for Modern Ageing to deliver this trial.
A Trial Advisory Group of 14 members has been established to provide ongoing advice as the trial progresses. Members are from assessment, consumer, service provider and health professional backgrounds. Their first meeting was held on 19 January 2022. You can find the list of members on the Reform to in-home aged care web page.
If you have further questions, please email SAH.implementation@Health.gov.au
Have your say: improving communications with the home services sector
Are you a home service provider, worker or recipient, or a carer or family member of a home services recipient?
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is conducting research focused on enhancing communications with different groups in this part of the sector. This is to ensure that home services providers and recipients receive and use important information about regulatory activities and aged care reforms being introduced in 2022 and beyond.
To learn more about the research and to provide feedback using an anonymous online survey, please visit the Home Services Consultation website before 4 February 2022.
Survey closing soon: My Aged Care screening and assessment training
This is your chance to let us know how the My Aged Care system and accredited training is meeting the needs of the screening and assessment workforce.
We encourage assessors, training coordinators and anyone undertaking screening and assessment functions within My Aged Care to participate.
Please complete a short 10-minute survey by 11:59pm on Friday 4 February 2022.
Congratulations to “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds”
Congratulations to all involved in the ABC’s “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds” who were awarded a 2021 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) award.
This social experiment turned into a life-changing movement for both senior Australians and a group of four-year-olds. To complement the series, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) partnered with the ABC to provide support for older people feeling lonely or isolated.
To find out more about how OPAN supports older people, contact their experienced and friendly team on 1800 700 600. Visit OPAN’s website for community connections and support options and opportunities to volunteer.
Centre for Cultural Diversity webinar series
The Centre for Cultural Diversity’s 2022 webinar series begins in February.
Topics include:
- Inclusive Leadership
- Diversity Strategies within the Aged Care Sector, showcasing the approach of several aged care providers to developing a diversity plan
- Applying a Diversity Lens to End of Life Care.
You can also visit the 2021 Diversity Webinar Series page for recordings and slides from past presentations. These include webinars about how to work effectively with interpreters, and using translations to connect with culturally diverse audiences in aged care.
Pacific Labour Scheme workforce: webinar recording available
The Australian Government acknowledges the workforce challenges aged care providers face in rural and regional areas. The Pacific Labour Scheme can help providers struggling to fill vacancies to access Pacific and Timorese aged care workers.
The department hosted a webinar about the Scheme on 15 December 2021. A video recording and written transcript are now available on the department’s website.
For further information, please contact enquiries@pacificlabourfacility.com.au
Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program (NSW)
Would you know what to do if someone you support was experiencing thoughts of suicide?
Anglicare’s Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program equips aged care workers with the knowledge to help prevent suicide.
The free program includes an online general suicide prevention course followed by a workshop contextualising the training for seniors. Both sections should take about three hours to complete.
The program is funded by the NSW Government. To be eligible, you need to be working with older people and based in NSW.
If you are interested, please email Program Coordinator Nancy Gewargis at nancy.gewargis@anglicare.org.au or visit the Anglicare website.
Apply now: Business Improvement Fund Round 2
Applications are now open for the Business Improvement Fund ‑ Round 2 through the GrantConnect website.
The Business Improvement Fund gives short-term grants to eligible residential aged care providers experiencing financial challenges. The grants support small to medium size providers (7 or fewer facilities) located in regional, rural and remote areas.
Providers must submit independent business advice as part of the application. Find out more on the department’s website.
Choices for younger people living in residential aged care
Australia’s aged care system is not designed for people younger than 65. We are committed to reducing the number of younger people entering, or living in, residential aged care.
The Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) System Coordinator Program supports younger people and their families in or at risk of going into aged care.
System Coordinators, managed by Ability First Australia, help find age-appropriate support services for disability, health and housing. Solutions are based on the younger person’s goals and what best meets their needs.
System Coordinators work with younger people who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or have not yet tested their eligibility.
Find out more from Ability First Australia on 1800 771 663.
Improved Payment Arrangements: January key tips
Below are tips to help with your Home Care Package program claims.
By 28 February 2022, you must decide whether to opt-in for each care recipient who was in your care before 1 September 2021.
Mandatory reporting of Commonwealth unspent funds:
- If the care recipient is opted in, report the Commonwealth unspent amount only once.
- If not opted in, continue reporting the Commonwealth unspent funds held for each care recipient each month before finalising your claim.
- You need to report Commonwealth unspent funds even if the balance is $0.
You have up to 70 days from a care recipient’s departure to adjust care events, finalise outstanding invoice amounts and submit as part of your monthly claim.
For more information go to the Q&A fact sheet.