I hope you got a chance to have a break, even if it was only a short one over the Christmas and New Year period, as 2024 is going to be a year full of ‘new' things and more reform!
The Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner commenced this month, with Andrea Kelly, a Warumungu and Larrakia woman with strong family connections throughout the Northern Territory appointed to the role.
The new Aged Care Act, subject to being passed in Parliament, is planned to start on 1 July, as are the revised Quality Aged Care Standards. For the latest updates, check out the rest of this month's summer newsletter edition.
Content Summary
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
With it being the end of one year and the start of a new year, we took a break from writing blog posts and creating videos. Instead, why not check out these older-but-still-just-as-good posts!
Are You Using These Aged Care “Dirty Words?”
I’ve seen this first-hand with my relatives, when someone well-meaning (in their own mind) glibly used this language with an older parent. Well, hooley dooley, the reaction from the parent was like the uncapping of a volcano – and rightly so!
From Chaos to Clarity – Strategies for Updating Your Policies & Procedures
One of the biggest challenges we see as consultants is the lack of currency in organisational policies, procedures, and other related documents. Managers want to ensure that they have a structure in place that guides their team, but it's easy to overlook the fact that these need constant revision and updating – especially in light of aged care reforms and legislative changes.
Six Simple Strategies to Improve Your Progress Note Writing Skills
Are you confident when writing progress notes? Perhaps you're concerned you are writing too little or maybe too much? Whatever your concerns it's not that difficult to write good progress notes when you have a structure and know what and when you should be writing.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
First Nations Aged Care Commissioner
Andrea Kelly, a Warumungu and Larrakia woman, with strong family connections in the Northern Territory has commenced in the role of Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. This role will encourage culturally safe aged care for First Nations people across Australia.
Caring for First Nations people
For those providing care to First Nations older people, a guide for providing culturally safe care can be found here. The guide comprises an assessment tool, framework, training guide, and recommendations informed by Aboriginal Elders.
Governing for Reform
From 1 January 2024, the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program will be available to anyone working in the aged care sector. Current participants should note:
- Learning activities will continue to be available. This includes: podcasts, webinar recordings, online learning modules, flip guides, topic guides, tools and the For the Board Kit.
- Digital badges ended on 31 December 2023 and will be replaced by certificates of completion.
For more information on the program visit Governing for Reform in Aged Care on the ACQSC website.
Legislation Updates
Before the New Aged Care Bill goes to Parliament, a copy of the New Aged Care Act Resources is available from 14 December 2023 to 16 February 2024 for your information and comments.
The new Act will be informed by the Strengthened Quality Standards. The final draft of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards is available for your perusal.
Reports Due
- 24/7 Registered Nurse report was due on 7 January 2024
- NQI report is due by 21 January 2024
- QFR Q2 – Oct-Dec 2023 report is due by 14 February 2024
COVID Updates
- The Department's COVID-19 report published 4 January 2024 can be found here.
- Government Support for Providers And Workers – information on preventing and preparing for outbreaks and new supports commencing 1 January 2024.
Home Care Updates
Home Care Pricing Audit Factsheet
The Department released this factsheet about home care pricing audits in December 2023. This fact sheet explains the benefits, processes and outcomes of home care pricing audits.
Residential Care Updates
Workforce Responsibility Monitoring when a Registered Nurse is not on-site and on duty
The Commission has commenced their review of provider compliance under section 67 of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Rules 2018 and providers should be prepared to receive requests for information and documentation from the Commission.
The review's focus is to establish how the service ensures the provision of effective and timely clinical care to their consumers, including when there is no Registered Nurse (RN) rostered on-site and on-duty at the service.
Documents likely to be requested include the following:
- Details of resident care needs
- Nursing rosters
- Workforce capability and training
- On-call and alternate arrangements when an RN is not on-site and on duty
- The service’s clinical governance framework including policies and procedures
- Details of workforce education and training and competencies
- PCI
Overcharging of Residents – Fact Sheet
The Department released this fact sheet in December 2023 regarding overcharging of accommodation payments.
National Quality Indicator Program – updated template
The bulk submission template for the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program has been updated. Please use the new template on the QI Program resources webpage.
Emergency Leave for Residents
Emergency Leave for permanent aged care residents has been extended for 12 months until 31 December 2024. This means residents who wish to temporarily relocate during COVID-19 outbreaks can continue to use emergency leave instead of social leave through to 31 December 2024. Aged care homes will still be paid a residential care subsidy when residents are on emergency leave.
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.
In case you haven't had an opportunity to read the department updates, here is the newsletter published on 20 December 2023.
Reading
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) supports volunteers to regularly visit older people in-person to give friendship and companionship.
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
Webinar: Draft new Aged Care Act consultation – Q&A panel discussion
Thursday 18 January, 2pm – 3pm AEDT
Public consultation is open on the draft new Aged Care Act which will put the rights of older people at the centre of aged care.
Learning Modules – Maggie Beer
The Maggie Beer Foundation has released 3 new online learning modules. The modules are free to complete. Register online now to access the new modules:
- Supporting Hydration – practical ideas to keep older people hydrated, including creating delicious thickened fluids.
- Regeneration of Cooked Chilled Food – safely reheat dishes and bring them to life.
- Rethinking Texture-Modified Food – cooking safely without compromising taste, aroma or presentation.
Culturally Inclusive Service Delivery Course
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing has launched a free online training course for people who work in aged care. The Culturally Inclusive Service Delivery course focuses on how providers can better care for our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) elderly clients.
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.
Aged Care Resources
A list of Aged Care resources, including apps, audio and other publications, can be found on the Department's website.
Digital Transformation
Get the Digital Transformation Sector Partners meetings and slide presentations from 22 September to 17 November 2023.
Council of Elders
Check the first term achievements report here.
National Aged Care Advisory Council
Find the first term achievements report here.
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
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
Care & Case Management
Intake & Assessment
Client Care Agreement – Commonwealth Home Support Programme V4 – significantly updated
Client Intake & Assessment Form V4 – updated
Monitoring
Client Service Plan Review V1 – new
Health Condition Planning Guides
Cancer – Assessment and Planning Guide V1 – new
Cancer – Care Provision Information V1 – new
Quality & Compliance Tools
Case Study Template V2 – updated
Toolbox Talks & Info Shares
Info Shares
Commonwealth Home Support Programme Info Share V7 – updated
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
- April 2024 - April 12, 2024
- February/March 2024 - March 8, 2024
- January/February 2024 - February 9, 2024
