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Your Aged Care Update # 39/24

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News about the reforms

Minister’s open letter stresses the importance of care minutes

On 1 October 2024, the Hon Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care, released an open letter to residential aged care providers about: 

  • the importance of the mandatory care minute responsibility 

  • care minutes data findings from the residential aged care sector 

  • policy options to support care minutes compliance.

 Read the open letter from Minister Wells and the Statement of Expectations to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner.

New resources for the Support at Home program

New resources are available for in-home aged care providers on the Support at Home program.  

You can now access:

These resources aim to help Home Care Package (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) providers to understand the main changes under Support at Home. 

Under the new program, there will be improved access to services, products, equipment and home modifications to help older people remain healthy, active and socially connected to their community. 

We will continue to work with HCP and STRC providers to help you transition from 
1 July 2025.
 
For more information, visit our Support at Home program resources.

Sector news

Provider preview: Updated finance information

Your updated finance information is now available to preview in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
 
This preview reflects new data from the Quarterly Financial Report for Quarter 4 2023–24. It will close on 14 October

We will publish your previewed data on My Aged Care Find a Provider tool later this month. If the previewed information is not consistent with the data you submitted, email ACFRQFRQueries@health.gov.au

For technical support, please call the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 5.  

Read more about publishing finance information.
 

Webinar: Infection and prevention control

The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control offers a free aged care infection prevention and control (IPC) Community of Practice. 

It is for all aged care workers to:

  • stay up to date on best practices

  • share experiences

  • improve IPC standards across the sector to better protect older people. 

The Community of Practice features:

  • live interactive webinars

  • free IPC resources 

  • online forums.

All aged care workers, including IPC leads can attend the bi-monthly live interactive webinars, access resources and join discussions on the forum. 

Join the next webinar on Wednesday 16 October, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (AEDT).

Register now.
 

Residential care

Claiming funds for on-site pharmacists

Residential aged care homes who employ on-site pharmacists under the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Measure can now claim funds for their pharmacists’ salaries through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator.
 
Reimbursement is also available if you participated in this measure between 1 July and 30 September.
 
Since 1 July, residential aged care homes have been able to access an on-site pharmacist by:

  • partnering with a community pharmacy; or

  • directly engaging an on-site pharmacist.

 Read more about on-site pharmacists.

New campaign for Star Ratings

We have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of Star Ratings. 

Campaign advertising is running until 28 December nationally across free-to-air television, digital video, digital search and in medical centres and pharmacies.

It will encourage older people to research and compare aged care homes using Star Ratings. This will help to support them in planning for their aged care journey.

We’ve seen consistent sector improvement in delivering safe and quality aged care - 66% of all aged care homes are now rated as delivering good or excellent care.    

Now is a great time to educate your staff about your home's Star Rating in preparation for conversations generated from the campaign.   

Access resources, including branding guidelines and design files. 

Quality indicator reporting for Quarter 1

Quality indicator reporting is open for Quarter 1, 2024–25 (July to September).

When you report quality indicator data, use the file upload template in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS). If you are pasting information, use the ‘paste values’ function to keep the format.

You must not include residents’ personal information. If you do, this breaches: 

  • your reporting obligations 

  • residents’ privacy. 

For help, see additional guidance on reporting via GPMS or refer to GPMS and Quality Indicator Program resources.

For technical support, please contact the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 5.

Last week’s article ‘Quality indicator reporting open’ said reporting was open for Quarter 2, instead of Quarter 1. Our apologies for any confusion.

Maggie Beer Foundation training for kitchen staff

Consider registering for the Maggie Beer Foundation’s free Trainer Mentor Program.  It’s for residential aged care cooks, chefs and kitchen staff.

It’s delivered on site and tailored to your home’s specific needs.

 Over 12 months, you’ll get:

  • 5 days of intensive on-site chef training to create flavourful and nutritious food

  • a menu appraisal by an Accredited Practising Dietitian

  • advice to help you meet the new Aged Care Quality Standards.

The Maggie Beer Foundation’s free Trainer Mentor Program is accepting applications until 22 October.

Find out more.

In-home care

Pricing for the Support at Home service list

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority wants to hear from providers, older people, families and carers to inform their pricing advice to government. This is part of a consultation on their pricing approach for the Support at Home service list 2025–26.

The new Support at Home program will help older people live independently at home for longer. 

Your feedback will help ensure pricing advice to government accurately reflects the cost of delivering safe and high-quality services. 

Make a submission online, by email or via post. Consultation closes on October 25.

Find out more.

Workforce

Dementia care training programs

Dementia Australia, supported by Dementia Training Australia, offers a range of free training programs to improve the quality of care for people living with dementia. These programs are fully funded by the Australian Government.

The programs are for aged care organisations and workers across Australia and include:

  • Communities of Practice: Connect, share knowledge and develop skills to support people living with dementia.

  • Demonstrating Dementia Leadership: Learn how to lead teams and individuals in best practice dementia care.

  • Dementia Essentials: Upskill dementia knowledge and understand changes in behaviour.

Enrol now.

Webinar: Communicating a dementia diagnosis

Swinburne University’s Wellbeing Clinic is holding a webinar on how to communicate a dementia diagnosis to older people and their families. 

Receiving a diagnosis can be confronting and clinicians may not know how best to convey it. This webinar will discuss how they can improve their communication skills, including speaking accurately and empathically. 

It is for people working in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older people.

When: Friday 18 October, 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm (AEDT).

Register now.

For more information, see Swinburne University’s webinar schedule