Your Aged Care Update # 27/24
Notable dates
Star Ratings: Provider preview
Closing soon
Webinar: Improving aged care home design
15 August
In this issue
News about the reforms
New Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines
We have introduced the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines. They include many ways to improve aged-care-home design for the benefit of the people living and working in residential aged care.
These range from simple, low-cost changes that existing homes can introduce, to larger features that better suit new buildings.
The Principles and Guidelines were developed in response to recommendation 45 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Read more about improving accommodation in residential aged care.
Sector news
Information on volunteering for managers and providers
A new booklet is available on aged care volunteering and the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS). It has specific information for providers and Volunteer Managers, including:
training and support
expectations and requirements
guidance on volunteer recruitment.
It also explains how the ACVVS complements government-funded aged care services.
Read, download or order the aged care volunteering booklet.
Residential care
Quality Indicator reporting due soon
A reminder that Quality Indicator reporting for Quarter 4 is due by 21 July.
For uploading data into GPMS, use the QI Program file upload template. When pasting data into the template, use the “Paste Values” function to make sure the formatting is maintained.
Some providers may have experienced issues when submitting their data last quarter. This could be due to using the Quality Indicator (QI) program data recording template. This template cannot be uploaded to GPMS. It is only for recording data for a single service.
For help, please see:
GPMS and QI Program resources pages.
For technical support, please call the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 5.
Maggie Beer Foundation training for your staff
Residential aged care providers can take part in Maggie Beer Foundation training that's just for your organisation. Your kitchen staff can be trained at a time that suits you. It’s online, so all your staff can learn together, no matter where they are.
The training includes:
one online 2.5-hour workshop each week for 3 weeks
practical coursework to complete between workshops.
The training can help you:
boost kitchen efficiency and staff capability
get ready for the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
reduce unplanned weight loss, falls, major injuries and pressure injuries
improve Quality Indicator data, which influences your home’s Star Rating.
Express your interest in a provider exclusive state and territory hub.
Webinar: Intergenerational programs
Join Swinburne University’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for a webinar on intergenerational programs in residential aged care. This webinar is for people working in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older people.
When: Friday 26 July, 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm (AEST).
This webinar will discuss:
the benefits of intergenerational programs for people living in residential aged care homes
changing stereotypes of ageing
fostering interaction and understanding between younger and older people.
Register now.
For more information see the 2024 Centre for Older Adults webinar schedule.