The recent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Sector Performance Report findings for the Jan – March QTR identified that over a quarter of providers audited in the period failed at least one requirement of Standard 2 (Assessment and Care Planning), with Standard 8 (Governance) also recording high levels of non-compliance. Overall, home care providers still have lower compliance levels than residential care.
The most common complaints made to the Commission are still about clinical issues in residential care. For home care services, the majority of complaints are about communication and financial issues.
The Commission use the performance results to identify trends and risk areas, so if your service is due for a review, looking at the sector report may give you an idea of where assessment teams will hone in on.
Our team have been busy compiling an initial assessment tool on three key compliance areas that providers are most struggling with. Keep an eye out in your inbox for this free assessment in early September.
Content Summary
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
To respond to the needs of those working in the industry, CDCS has a range of blog posts on our website and videos that are freely available on our YouTube channel.
Who are Your Vulnerable Clients?
It is a requirement for all Home Care Providers to create and maintain a list of vulnerable clients, those who are particularly at risk should there be an adverse event personally or through a natural disaster or at times of climate events. If you know who these people are you are better able to plan or action a response to minimise risk to them.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
ACQ&SC Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communications Project
The Commission is seeking expressions of interest from providers, workers and older people and their communities to take part in a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communications project.
This is part of the Commission’s national communications, engagement and education program to support providers, workers and older Australians receiving care to understand the upcoming legislative and regulatory changes.
Legislation Updates
Watch this space…
There are no legislation updates this month—only concerns about the delay of the new Aged Care Act. The government and Coalition say conversations are ongoing in an effort to ensure the reforms have bipartisan support. However, given the limited sitting weeks in this calendar year to raise and debate elements of the legislation, advocates and the sector are concerned about having the Act passed before the next Federal election.
Reports Due
No reports are due this month, but…
In case you missed the last Newsletter – the ACQ&SC has released a calendar for all financial reports. This is a great resource to share with your finance person.
COVID Updates
Residential Aged Care During COVID
Managers, staff, family, friends and residents must work together to protect older people in aged care homes from COVID-19. Find information for aged care residents and visitors on how to keep everyone safe in residential aged care.
Home Care Updates
3G Shutdown and impact on client wellbeing and safety
Major telecommunication providers are switching off their 3G networks on 1 September 2024. This will affect all 3G enabled devices including phones, medical and personal alarms.
Some clients may currently be using 3G enabled devices including personal medical or alert alarms. HCP and CHSP providers should check with clients and discuss options to address issues with any clients who will be affected before 31 August.
Residential Care Updates
Monthly Care Statements
The Department of Health and Aged Care is encouraging all residential aged care providers to offer Monthly Care Statements to residents from 1 October 2024.
These statements will help improve communication and develop processes and care planning with residents. Starting the statements early will also help organisations develop processes and iron out any issues before these statements become mandatory.
The department will host a webinar in late August 2024 to help you prepare. Register here.
Security of tenure in aged care: A balancing act between resident behaviours and provider responsibilities – ACQ&SC Compliance Management Insights
Security of tenure is an important concept in aged care, and in July the Commission addressed some of the issues related to management of residents with behaviours of concern or where a person has exceeded the ability of the facility to meet their needs.
They noted: “When a person moves into a residential aged care service, that becomes their home. Removing a person from their home should be a last resort. It should only be considered after you have made every effort to meet their complex care needs, including getting expert advice.” Read more.
National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program focus group invitation
The Department of Health and Aged Care is looking for volunteers to take part in one-hour online focus groups to gather views of the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program.
To be discussed:
- your experience of quality indicator reporting
- the impact of data collection and reporting on quality indicators.
Consultation will begin in September.
Submit your expression of interest by 27 August.
Reading
Want to understand more about what consumers are complaining about with home care services? The Commission has recently released a report on this topic.
You can also watch the Commission’s webinar on this topic ‘Getting Complaints Right’ which can be found on their YouTube channel.
Department and Commission Newsletter Links
If you haven't subscribed for Department updates, you can do so by clicking here to subscribe.
If you’re not already signed up, we recommend clicking through and signing up for the Commission’s valuable newsletter.
CDCS Roundup for Busy People Newsletter
If you have others in your team who would benefit from our monthly aged care roundup for busy people – they can sign up here.
Industry Training, Webinars & Events
Co-designing aged care through Consumer Advisory Bodies
This is a webinar for approved aged care providers and people receiving aged care, their family, friends, and supporters.
The webinar will focus on the specific responsibilities for approved providers about their governance arrangements, particularly Consumer Advisory Bodies. Sound provider governance arrangements are critical to providing high-quality care for people using aged care services. Governing bodies and leaders play a key role in ensuring that organisation policies and procedures are designed in consultation with people receiving care. The most effective way to achieve this is through co-design using Consumer Advisory Bodies.
Date: Tuesday 20 August 2024
Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm AEST
Calling Aged Care Executives – Design Masterclass 2.0: Assessing and Improving Aged Care Buildings!
Dementia Training Australia is running an interactive one-day course to equip you with the knowledge and skills to assess and improve aged care homes by applying the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines.
You will learn how to assess aged care environments, explore strategies to improve your buildings and gain a better understanding of the relationship between care and architecture.
To be held in Brisbane on August 22nd, Perth on September 18th and Melbourne on October 30th.
Attracting, developing and retaining a strong workforce
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – Governing for Reform
This webinar is aimed at Executive Leadership of an organisation and the Governing Body members. Expression of Interest open to attend webinar (numbers limited)
Date: Wednesday 28 August 2024
Time: 2:00pm – 4:30pm AEST
Location: online via Microsoft Teams
National Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program
Anglicare offers free suicide prevention training workshops aimed at supporting an older person experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Visit here for more information or email Anglicare at suicide.prevention@anglicare.org.au
Ongoing workshops provided by the ACQ&SC
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission develops a range of educational resources and workshops for aged care providers, in-home services and residential services that assist in understanding what compliance looks like.
You can find these courses listed on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website under the Education tab.
Funding Opportunities
Grant Reference
Name of Grant
Closing Date
For more information on any of these grants, refer to the GrantConnect website.
SDAP – Services Development Assistance Panel
Don’t forget, if you are an aged care provider (residential or community care) operating in rural or remote locations, you may be eligible for support through the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP).
CDCS has been a panel member since the inception of this program in 2010 and has supported over 40 aged care services with compliance, business development, training and resource development.
Get an idea of what can be done with SDAP.
Further information is available on the Department’s website, including the application form, or by emailing sdap@health.gov.au.
Jobs in Aged Care
Position
Organisation & Location
Closing Date
Tennant Creek – Barkly Regional Council
15 August 2024
Various – East Arnhem Regional Council
Until filled
Ramingining – East Arnhem Regional Council
Until filled
NOTE: If you have a position that you would like us to promote, please hit ‘reply’ to this email so we can include it in the next newsletter and/or post on our Facebook page: CDCS – Culturally Directed Care Solutions.
New In The TQP Members Resource Area
You’ll find a full list of the updated policies, procedures and other helpful resources that have been updated in the last month below. We're committed to helping your organisation meet compliance and deliver quality outcomes.
If you don't have access to the TQP and you’re looking for comprehensive, industry-specific policies, procedures and work instructions that have been used successfully by dozens of aged care providers, helping them to easily pass quality reviews and stay compliant, then take a look at the Total Quality Package.
Resource updates in the last month
Home Care Policies & Procedures
Service Management
Home Care Fee and Pricing Policy V1 – new
TQP Live Training & Replays
TQP Members get complimentary access to regular LIVE training and education sessions. These are aimed at the coordination and management level and address trending issues and topics. Recordings are available in the TQP to revisit whenever you need – just like having your very own ‘Aged Care Netflix!’ 😁
We hope you have found this edition helpful; feel free to share it with others who may be interested. If you have any feedback or questions, please let us know by emailing us at info@cdcs.com.au.
Please get in contact with us if you need support and we’ll catch up with you again next month.
Donna, Carrie & the CDCS Team
- October 2024 - October 10, 2024
- September 2024 - September 10, 2024
- August 2024 - August 13, 2024
