Aged Care Complaints and Open Disclosure are again a focus in compliance reviews, and if you missed our recent blog – it provides clear steps to help organisations embed better open disclosure practices.
A Department webinar this week will discuss the new Regulatory Framework and its implementation. The link is in this newsletter's ‘Training, Webinars, and Events' section.
If you feel like the year has been full of ‘staying above the water' moments and you can't wait for it to end, we get it.
The CDCS team has also been under the pump and will soon close our books for on-site support for the remainder of the year. In the meantime, you can access the free CDCS compliance diagnostic initial assessment, which focuses on key areas of operations to provide insight into gaps and helpful tips to address quality concerns.
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.
7 Steps for Getting Open Disclosure Right in Aged Care
Open disclosure is part of the current aged care quality standards (and will continue to be embedded in the revised standards). It is an expectation of organisations providing government-funded aged care services.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
Complaint Fact Sheet for Care Staff
This new fact sheet explains how the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission) works with and supports aged care workers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people receiving aged care.
It provides advice on how workers can raise a concern or complaint about the safety or quality of care delivered to older people.
Legislation Updates
Aged care rights and principles
Although some providers will not need to demonstrate compliance against the Strengthened Quality Standards, all providers must demonstrate compliance with the new Aged Care Act.
The new Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights, detailing the rights that older people should expect when accessing aged care services. The rights outlined in the Bill will help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system. Providers should read through the Statement of Rights and Aged Care Principles, taking note of the requirements in preparation for the introduction of the Act in 2025.
Reports Due
Provider Operations Report
These reports were due at the end of October. Providers who still have not completed their Provider Operations Collections Form should do so immediately.
Note: Providers who operate under a Grant agreement such as CHSP only, or NATSIFAC are not required to submit this report.
COVID Updates
See COVID-19 advice for people in residential aged care homes and visitors on the department website for any updates.
Home Care Updates
Support at Home
The final Support at Home program design has now been finalised.
More information is being released by the Government on the Support at Home program.
The Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program from 1 July 2025.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to the new program sometime after 1 July 2027.
The Department of Health and Aged Care will keep working with HCP and STRC providers to make sure they’re ready to transition to Support at Home on 1 July 2025.
The Support at Home program handbook is now available on the Department of Health website.
Resource to support friends and family caring for a person living with dementia
When an older person living with dementia resides in the community they may be at increased risk of malnutrition due to a lower level of direct supervision or lack of knowledge of family carers. To address this the Commission has developed a guide for families, friends and other representatives.
Where required this brochure could be included in a welcome pack for new consumers or distributed to existing clients and carers.
CHSP provider survey
The Department of Health and Aged Care is encouraging CHSP providers to complete the 2025-27 extension survey.
This feedback will help the Department to align the CHSP with the new Aged Care Act from 1 July 2025. It will also help to prepare for the transition to the Support at Home program, which will begin no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Home Care Package manual update
The Department of Health and Aged Care has issued an updated version of the Home Care Packages (HCP) manual.
You can find the latest version here.
Residential Care Updates
Inappropriate use of opioids in aged care
This month’s Compliance Management Insight article focuses on the inappropriate use of opioids in aged care settings.
Opioids have their place in managing a person’s persistent or chronic pain where the medication is used under specialist supervision and is subject to regular review. However, there is a problem when opioids are used for their sedating effects rather than for pain relief and is a restrictive practice.
Places to people
From 1 July 2025, places in residential aged care will be allocated directly to the person approved for residential aged care services, instead of being allocated to providers.
This will require providers to write off any bed licenses on their balance sheets before the new arrangements begin. Providers should discuss this with their accountants or auditors. Read more here.
Reading
Commission Complaints Report 23-24
In this report, the ACQ&SC draws attention to patterns and trends in the complaints made about residential care and home services for 2023–24.
These patterns and trends tell the Commission what areas to monitor and what to look for when assessing providers.
OPAN Annual Report
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has released their annual ‘Presenting Issues’ report.
The report has some interesting statistics that highlight issues faced by consumers of aged care services. Managers and governing bodies should take the time to read the report and consider these issues when reviewing their services. The report includes a number of case studies that may be useful when educating care and coordination staff.
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
New Aged Care Regulatory Model – How it will work
Department of Health and Aged Care
Online webinar
Thursday 14 November 2024 2:00pm – 3:00pm AEDT
Register here
Workforce Responsibilities – the key to delivering a great aged care experience.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Online webinar
Tuesday 19 November 2024, 2.00pm – 3.00pm AEDT
Register here
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
Nhulunbuy – East Arnhem Regional Council
22 November 2024
Casual Relief Positions, Various – 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
Governance Policies & Procedures
Quality and Continuous Improvement and Advisory Body's – new, supersedes both Home Care and Residential Care versions
Whistleblower Policy & Procedure – 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
- December 2024/January 2025 - December 11, 2024
- November 2024 - November 11, 2024
- October 2024 - October 10, 2024
