Aged care news highlights from the fortnight ending 15 March 2024, aggregated by Ideagen.

The information in the ACE Wrap is aggregated from other news sources to provide you with news that is relevant to the aged care sector across Australia and worldwide. Each paragraph is a summary of the subject matter covered in the particular news article. The information does not necessarily reflect the views of Ideagen.

Residential Care and General Aged Care News

Aged Care Minister releases Taskforce Final Report with 23 recommendations - potential $3.6 billion revenue injection

According to The Weekly Source, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has released the Aged Care Taskforce's Final Report, with 23 recommendations aimed at making Australia's aged care funding more "equitable and sustainable" and providing a blueprint for future funding reforms.

Aged Care Taskforce recommends wealth-based funding

According to Aged Care Insite, the aged care taskforce has rejected the idea of a levy to cover the sector's costs and has recommended older Australians accessing care should pay more based on their personal wealth. The federal government established a taskforce last year to find a long-term solution for sustainable aged care funding.

Taskforce shifts focus to personal wealth contributions but fails to address workforce

According to Inside Ageing, the Taskforce tasked with reviewing funding arrangements for aged care has presented a significant shift away from the idea of implementing an aged care tax levy, as suggested by the Aged Care Royal Commission.

“No easy options”: Whiddon chief responds to taskforce report

According to Aged Care Insite, last week, the long-awaited Aged Care Taskforce report was released, with recommendations including a wealth-based funding approach to ensure financial longevity in the sector. However, there is still work to do – with Whiddon's chief Chris Mamarelis signalling that regional Australia may be left behind.

Wage justice’: Big pay rise for aged care workers

According to Aged Care Insite, aged care workers have secured a “historic” pay rise – some getting up to a 28.5 per cent increase – in what has been called a “life-changing” improvement for one of Australia’s most undervalued work forces.

Aged care workers pay hike ‘not inflationary’

Does this pass the pub test as fair? Direct aged care workers awarded wages rises of up to 13.5% by Fair Work Commission – but indirect care workers only given up to 6.8%

Quarterly care minutes targets

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, we will publish care minutes targets for the April-June quarter in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) the week of the 25 March 2024.

Opal HealthCare takes over BlueCross

According to Inside Ageing, BlueCross, a prominent aged care provider in Victoria, is undergoing a transition of ownership, with its 31 aged care residences and Home Care services set to be transferred to Opal HealthCare.

COVID-19: Grant closing dates and new support arrangements

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the 2023 COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Grant is closing on 3 April 2024. Providers will now receive an automatic supplement with the first payments of the new Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement starting this month. There is no need to apply. Eligible providers will be paid the supplement automatically.

Free translating and interpreting services for aged care providers

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, these services include: 

• Free translation service – translation of aged care service materials into languages other than English. 
• TIS National interpreting service – 24/7 access to TIS National interpreting services, including phone, on-site and video remote interpreting to support communication with people in different languages. 
• Deaf Connect sign language interpreting and captioning service – in-person and online sign language interpreting and live captioning to support older people to better engage with aged care services.

Home Care News

Home Care Packages: monthly statement guidelines

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, Home Care Package providers are reminded they must give monthly statements to each care recipient, even if they take leave from their package. We recommend you use our monthly statement template. See our provider guide for a detailed explanation of the template and how to use it effectively.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.