Aged care news highlights from the week ending 01 June 2021, aggregated by CompliSpace.

The information in the Weekly 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 CompliSpace.

Coronavirus/COVID-19 News

Administration of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, providers are asked to urgently review this letter from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly providing the strong recommendation that residents and staff in residential aged care settings be vaccinated as quickly as possible against COVID-19, and advice provided by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) that the 14-day interval between influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations can be shortened.

Please read the letter and brief your co-workers and residents accordingly.

Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas of Victoria

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, Australian Government grant funding is now available to support residential aged care providers to implement single site workforce arrangements in Greater Melbourne in accordance with the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer’s declaration.

The grant funding will be available for out of pocket costs incurred during an initial two week period, from 27 May 2021 to 10 June 2021. If the hotspot declaration is extended, these arrangements will also be extended. Providers are asked to adjust their rosters and ensure staff are only working at one residential aged care facility during this time.

A reminder that employers should ensure their workers are not financially disadvantaged during this period and that they continue to receive the income they may have received from other residential aged care providers. Where this results in additional out of pocket costs for the primary employer, reimbursement can be sought through the grant application process. The Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) grant opportunity remains open until 30 December 2021.

In addition to funding support, providers can also access guidance on practical implementation of single site arrangements, including employee relations expertise, through the Guiding Principles Support Hub website or hotline on 1800 491 793.

Updated advice for NSW, ACT, QLD, SA and TAS residential aged care facilities

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health:

Victoria
For all Victorian residential aged care facilities the following requirements apply from 11:59pm 27 May 2021:

Enhanced visitor restrictions
No visitors are permitted into aged care or other sensitive settings, except for end-of-life reasons or other specified purposes.

End of life care visits

• Two visitors at a time
• Do not have to be from the same household.
• No time limits.
• No specified purpose required.
• No daily limit.
• A group may exceed the “two visitors at a time” rule if dependents of a visitor are in the group and care for the dependents cannot be arranged.

Specified purposes:

• Provide essential care or support for the resident’s immediate physical or emotional wellbeing.
• Is the parent, carer or guardian of a person under the age of 18.
• As a nominated person (as defined in the Mental Health Act 2014).
• As an interpreter or to provide language support.
• To learn to support the patient or resident’s care upon discharge.

Restriction for specified visits

• Two visitors at one time
• Do not have to be from the same household
• No time limits.
• Specified purpose required.
• No more than two visitors per day, including dependents.
• A group may exceed the “two visitors at a time” rule if dependents of a visitor (or patient in hospital) are in the group and care for the dependents cannot be arranged.

Recommendation for remote / electronic visits:

• Providing interpreter services or acting as a nominated person should be provided remotely unless it is not practicable to do so.
• Other care and support should be provided remotely if reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances (e.g. phone call support for someone with hearing difficulties would not be appropriate).
• Visits from prospective residents are not permitted.

Enhanced face mask requirements

All visitors are required to wear face masks when in an indoor space or in any outdoor space when a visitor cannot maintain 1.5m distance from all other persons (except those with whom their ordinarily reside or an intimate partner).

All workers are required to wear face masks when in any indoor space (regardless of whether accessible to visitors or residents) and in any outdoor space where the worker is engaged in face-to-face contact with a resident or visitor.  Use of eye protection (face shields are preferred) when treating COVID negative patient/residents.

Other measures

Enhanced screening and testing on admission or return to facility from leave residents found to have visited listed exposure sites – to be tested and managed as at risk COVID until results known.

Enhanced focus on screening visitors and staff and continuing daily workforce attestations.

Restricting visitors and staff found to have visited exposure sites until they have returned a negative test result.

Tier 3 PPE for low risk suspected COIVD-19 and high-risk suspected COVID-19 residents as per PPE guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19) PPE guidance for RACF Factsheet.

Where practicable, care facility workers should be limited to working at one facility.

Student clinical placements permitted in all settings but restricted from providing care/being exposed to high-risk SCOVID and confirmed COVID patients. Students restricted to one campus/site only.

It is anticipated geographic locations and exposure sites will be updated in coming days. Please monitor the DHHS coronavirus website regularly.

Australian Capital Territory

Please see the updated alert from the ACT Chief Health Officer regarding the COVID-19 situation in other Australian states and territories.

• Current geographical areas of risk for COVID-19 transmission in Australia are (see full list of affected LGAs):
  • Greater Melbourne LGAs
  • City of Greater Bendigo
• Anyone who has been in a geographical area of risk (see above) should not visit or work in high-risk settings, including residential aged care facilities, for 14 days since leaving these areas.
• A Public Health Direction mandating quarantine for individuals who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases remains in place. This may include people who attended specific venues on the same date/time as a confirmed case; for example, in Victoria.
• If people are excluded from visiting or working in a high-risk setting, but are seeking to visit on compassionate grounds, or to work because they are deemed essential (e.g. someone with expertise that cannot be sourced elsewhere):
• If they are not in quarantine under a Public Health Direction, this may be considered following a risk assessment. ACT Health can assist with the risk assessment, if required.
• If they are in quarantine under a Public Health Direction, they will need to apply for an exemption from ACT Health by emailing exemptions@act.gov.au

New South Wales

The screening advice for residential aged and home care services has been updated for 27 May 2021.

• Residential aged care facilities - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/aged-care.aspx
• Home care service providers facilities - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/home-care-latest-advice.aspx

The key messages for this update are:

• The state of Victoria is currently considered an affected area and there are new places of high concern.
• Staff should be excluded if in the last 14 days they have been in:
• the City of Whittlesea
• Victorian places of high concern
• Any staff who have been to Greater Melbourne or the City of Greater Bendigo in the last 14 days (excluding the airport alone) must wear a surgical mask in the facility
• Visitors should be excluded from visiting residential aged care facilities who in the previous 14 days have been in:
  • Victorian places of high concern
  • Greater Melbourne (including the City of Whittlesea) or the City of Greater Bendigo.

Queensland

From 1am AEST 28 May 2021, all of Victoria will be declared a COVID-19 Hotspot. Anyone who has been in an interstate area of concern or a hotspot including Victoria in the last 14 days cannot enter a residential aged care facility.

Please refer to the QLD Government website for more information about exceptions to this Direction.

South Australia

Effective 8.25pm 24 May 2021, those who have visited or have travelled from the public exposure sites listed on the Victorian Department of Health website are subject to restrictions on entering a residential aged care facility.

For more information on exposure sites and specific requirements, visit the SA Government page.

Tasmania

Visits to residential aged care facilities are not permitted if a person has been in an area or premises identified as medium or high-risk for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days. For more information please visit the Tasmanian Government website.

State and territory aged care COVID-19 information

As the COVID-19 situation can change rapidly, aged care providers are reminded to stay up to date on visitor restrictions, PPE requirements and other measures relating to COVID-19 in aged care, from their relevant state or territory website below:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

PPE

Aged care providers are asked to ensure they have a sufficient supply of PPE, to use their own supply of PPE first and to request extra supply as and when needed. If you urgently need PPE and cannot source it, please submit an online application. The application will need to be completed for your request to be considered. The Commonwealth is prioritising requests for PPE from the National Medical Stockpile to aged care services that are most in need.

Further information and advice

Please visit the Australian Government Department of Health website for information and resources to assist in preparing and managing a COVID-19 outbreak, including what to do in the first 24 hours of an outbreak in a residential aged care facility.

More options to access a COVID-19 vaccination

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, from 17 May 2021, all people aged 50 years and over are eligible to get an AstraZeneca vaccination from one of the 4,300 participating GP clinics across the country.

This is in addition to Commonwealth vaccination clinics (GP respiratory clinics), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service and state and territory COVID-19 vaccination clinics (coming on line progressively) which have offered vaccinations to people 50 years and over from 3 May 2021.

You can find a participating GP or clinic through the eligibility checker on the Department of Health website.

If you can’t find details for nearby clinics please check regularly as the listings will be updated as more clinics become available.

While Australia has been relatively successful in avoiding sustained COVID-19 outbreaks, the risk of community transmission remains significant.

COVID-19 is much more likely to be severe in older people and people with certain medical problems than in young healthy people.

The most effective way for eligible people over the age of 50 to protect themselves from the effects of COVID-19 is to be vaccinated.

A conversation with Alison McMillan and Annie Butler

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, a new video resource is available for all residential aged care workers featuring the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s Federal Secretary Annie Butler.

The video message highlights the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for residential aged care and disability care workers.

As registered nurses, both Alison and Annie have a unique understanding of the role of aged and disability care workers in caring for vulnerable people in our community.

In their conversation, they explain what the COVID-19 vaccination program means for aged and disability care workers, and how workers can access a vaccine now.

We encourage residential aged care providers to share the video, COVID-19 vaccine rollout to aged care and disability care workers in Australia - YouTube, with their workforce.

Vaccinating residents who were absent at their facility’s in-reach vaccination clinics

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, there may be instances where existing or new residents did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination through the Commonwealth’s in-reach Pfizer vaccine clinics. This could be due to:

• being unwell or absent for the first dose clinic
• not giving consent to receive a vaccine at the first dose clinic, or
• having moved into the facility after the first or second dose clinic.

Residents needing two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can receive an AstraZeneca vaccine through a:

• general practice
• visiting GP
• Commonwealth vaccination clinic (GP respiratory clinic), or
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout progresses, advice will be given if other options for vaccination become available.

What to do if a person misses their second Pfizer dose

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, primary Health Networks (PHNs) are coordinating local solutions for individuals who missed their second Pfizer dose at a second dose in-reach clinic at a residential aged care facility. Options may include attending another aged care facility, referral to a Pfizer hub or a roving in-reach team re-visiting the facility.

Residential aged care facilities should contact their local PHN to report aged care residents and others that missed their second Pfizer dose at a second dose in-reach and to work with the PHN to establish local solutions to ensure that those people can access a second dose of Pfizer.

RFT extended for facilities wishing to vaccinate workers

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, an addendum has been issued to the Request for Tender (RFT) for Provision of COVID-19 Vaccination Administration by Residential Aged Care Providers, which extends the closing date to 30 June 2021.

If your facility is interested in making a submission to vaccinate your workers please review the RFT documentation which is available on the AusTender website.

The RFT opened on 17 March 2021, recognising the known capability and capacity within many residential aged care facilities to conduct safe and efficient vaccination programs.

On 27 April 2021, an addendum to the RFT was released following the release of Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advice to enable providers to vaccinate using both the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine. The RFT was also simplified in response to feedback from providers and to ensure that the process is as efficient as possible.

Questions or concerns about COVID-19 vaccines?

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, with new COVID-19 vaccine developments every day, it’s normal to have questions and concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine.

The Department of Health website is providing accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines on the website at COVID-19 – Is it true?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell misunderstandings or false information apart from facts.

The information at COVID-19 – Is it true? can help people make informed decisions – and get information from a trusted source.

Answers to common questions on COVID-19 vaccines are available in 63 languages.

Other News

Updated Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) Guidance

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has issued a May 2021 update to its Serious Incident Response Scheme – Guidelines for residential aged care providers.

This guidance describes the responsibilities of providers in relation to the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS). It includes information on:

• The requirements relating to incident management, response, and prevention
• The types of incidents that must be notified to the Commission
• The requirements for making a notification, including what must be notified and when
• The role of the Commission in managing reports and ensuring providers are notifying and responding to reportable incidents.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Bulletin May 2021

This issue of the Australian Quality and Safety Commission bulletin covers:

• Two new quality indicators to report on from 1 July
• Updated Serious Incident Response Scheme guidance
• Are you still COVID-ready?
• Free access to Alis still available
• Free online forum on elder abuse on 17 June 2021
• Examining consumer feedback on medication use in residential aged care'

10 questions to ask about residential aged care

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, 10 questions to ask is a series of brochures and posters empowering consumers to ask questions about aged care, to assist with selecting a provider that is right for them, and to make the transition to aged care easier.

Written by nurses, doctors and experts with experience in aged care, the brochures address common questions about aspects of aged care such as costs, staffing, palliative care and health services. They are endorsed by a number of advocacy organisations, supporting people with a variety of backgrounds, lived experiences and needs, and include:

• Your cultural needs in residential aged care
• LGBTI needs in residential aged care
• Questions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders when seeking residential aged care
• Rural and remote residential aged care

Consumers may find these brochures useful when searching for an aged care home, reviewing a home or deciding between two similar homes. It is important for aged care staff to be familiar with the questions in this brochure, as they may need to answer these questions in the future.

Seeking out tools and information to support respectful and inclusive care, is a recommended action in Outcome 4 of the Action plan to support all diverse people – a guide for aged care providers.

Effective use of these brochures may also help you demonstrate Standard 2 of the Aged Care Quality Standards ‘consumers partner in their ongoing assessment and planning to help them get the care they need.’ They could be made available to a person during your initial and ongoing assessment processes. Providers are also encouraged to consider making the brochures and posters visible and accessible to new and potential clients.

Online security experts warn of the organisations at risk of cyber attacks, health sector vulnerable

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has launched a work value application with the Fair Work Commission to lift the sector’s nursing and care worker wages by 25 per cent. Under the proposal the hourly rate for level one registered nurses at the top of the pay scale would jump from $30.23 to $37.80 while an enrolled nurses at the top of the scale would rise from $24.73 to $30.93. It also means that the starting weekly wage for assistants in nursing and personal care assistants would increase from $877 to $1097 per week. The ANMF is also calling for AINs and PCWs to progress to their next pay level after six months instead of the current 12 months.

Important letter - responsibilities of home care providers

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, the department is reminding approved home care providers of their responsibilities to the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program.

A letter to home care providers can be viewed on the department’s website.

The letter reminds providers of the new way home care subsidies will be paid in phase 2 of Improved Payment Arrangements and support that providers may be eligible to receive to help adjust to the changes.

Responsibilities of a home care provider include:

• publishing your service prices on My Aged Care and reviewing them yearly
• notifying the department of any changes to the details of the home care service
• keeping your contact details with the department up-to-date
• notifying Services Australia of any unspent funds when a care recipient exits home care

By meeting these responsibilities, a home care provider supports care recipients through quality and safe care, while maximising the HCP funding available to provide senior Australians with aged care services.

Free Capital Project Management support available to Rural, Remote and First Nations aged care services

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) provides free professional support to aged care providers located in rural and remote areas or who provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Qualified and experienced professionals work with eligible providers to support compliance with relevant laws including the Building Code of Australia. It can include help to:

• project manage building works within your service
• engage with communities and stakeholders
• review and assess buildings and infrastructure
• develop and review building concept plans.
• Aged care service providers can apply if they:
• are located in a rural or remote location (defined by Modified Monash Model 5‑7)

or

• provide services to a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples anywhere in Australia

and offer aged care services under the following programs:

• residential aged care under the Aged Care Act 1997
• Home Care Packages Program
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (in some cases).

Further information is available:

• on the department’s website, including the application form
• by emailing sdap@health.gov.au

AN-ACC Assessments in residential aged care

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, since April 2021 Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Assessments have been happening around Australia. These assessment are being conducted beside the current Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) funding arrangements and currently do not affect accommodation, care, claiming or funding arrangements.

This period of assessments, known as the shadow assessment period, will continue until 30 September 2022.

AN-ACC Assessors undertaking these assessments are experienced aged care clinicians (Registered Nurses, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapists) who have undergone extensive training in the AN-ACC tool and assessment process.

AN-ACC Assessors are employed by one of six Assessment Management Organisations (AMOs) contracted by the department.

A representative from one of the AMOs will contact providers directly to organise assessments during the shadow assessment period. AMOs will provide details on what is provided to ensure assessments can be undertaken.

Assessment and classifications completed during the shadow assessment period will be used to determine the subsidies residential aged care homes receive from the Australian Government when AN-ACC begins on 1 October 2022.

AMOs and AN-ACC Assessors must comply with all current Federal, State and Territory and/or residential aged care home protocols related to COVID-19.

More information is available on the department’s website.

Boost to daily living subsidy won’t eliminate financial pressure

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the financial viability of residential aged care providers will improve with the $10 supplement for daily living services but viability concerns remain, according to StewartBrown’s economic analysis of the Federal Budget. Accounting and benchmarking firm StewartBrown’s Federal Budget 2021 Aged care Sector Impact and Analysis report finds the $17.7 billion aged care Budget targets reform rather than financial outcomes for providers. The budget measures include $3.2 billion for a Basic Daily Fee supplement of $10 per resident per day to go toward daily living services such as food, laundry and cleaning in return for additional reporting, and the continued 30 per cent boost to the viability supplement for non-metro facilities.

Quality indicator in focus: Medication management

(Note: this excerpt is from the Department of Health newsletter. We cannot provide a link to the full version of this story until the Department of Health uploads it to their website.)

According to the Department of Health, from 1 July 2021, new and updated quality indicators will be included in the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program).

Medication management will be included in the QI Program as a new quality indicator, comprising two categories:

• percentage of care recipients who were prescribed nine or more medications
• percentage of care recipients who received antipsychotic medications.

This quality indicator is collected through a review of care records every quarter, for each care recipient. The first quarter of data collection starts 1 July 2021 and is reported in the 1‑21 October 2021 reporting period.

Approved providers must collect and report on medication management data quarterly, according to the requirements set out in the QI Program Manual 2.0 Part A available on the department’s website.

World must prepare for dementia health crisis: Alzheimer’s Disease International

According to Inside Ageing, about one-quarter of deaths from COVID-19 have been in dementia-affected people, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, which is warning the pandemic may accelerate the disease.

Study highlights challenges providing end-of-life dementia care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, providing end-of-life dementia care is rewarding but full of challenges including having to help family members accept that their loved one is dying, a study of aged care managers has found. The study, published in BMC Geriatrics, explored the experiences and perspectives of 20 residential or care managers at 11 aged care homes in New South Wales and Victoria of dementia specialists HammondCare. It found that continuous skill development of frontline staff, iterative family discussions, and partnership building between aged care staff and general practitioners are required for optimal end-of-life dementia care in aged care homes.

Reward providers to lift quality: forum

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, rewards for high quality services may help aged care providers improve care quality and consumer engagement, an industry forum has heard. The online ITAC May International Forum on Thursday discussed the aged care Federal Budget, reforms, technology and innovation.

MPs debate committee to oversee aged care reforms

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, South Australian Centre Alliance Member of Parliament Rebekha Sharkie has called for a special committee with upper and lower house representatives to track the implementation of the royal commission’s aged care reforms. Ms Sharkie, who is Federal Member for Mayo, moved a motion in Federal Parliament on Monday to establish a Joint Select Committee on Oversight of the Implementation of Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. During the subsequent debate, independent and Labor Members of Parliament supported the motion, but those representing the government did not.

Legislation

Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 1) Bill 2021 [CTH] – introduced and referred to committee 27 May 2021

The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No.1) Bill 2021 will make urgent amendments to the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act) and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Quality and Safety Commission Act) to implement three measures in response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission), and in the case of restrictive practices, in response to the Independent Review of Legislation Provisions Governing the use of Restraint in Residential Aged Care. These legislative amendments deliver the first stage of aged care reform developed to respond to the Royal Commission’s final report, Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect (final report).

The purpose of Schedule 1 of the Bill is to amend the Aged Care Act and the Quality and Safety Commission Act to further strengthen legislation on the use of restrictive practices in aged care.

Schedule 2 of the Bill amends the Aged Care Act to allow the Secretary to conduct reviews (assurance reviews) to assure the arrangements for the delivery and administration of home care are effective and efficient. Assurance reviews will inform the continuous improvement of home care policy and the education of approved providers in relation to home care and home care services.

Schedule 3 of the Bill removes the requirement for the Minister for Aged Care to establish a committee known as the Aged Care Financing Authority.

Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 [QLD] – introduced and referred to committee 25 May 2021

The objective of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 is to establish a legal framework for voluntary assisted dying in Queensland, allowing eligible people who are suffering and dying to choose the timing and circumstances of their death.

Resources and Upcoming Events

Flu vaccination poster

The Department of Health has issued this Flu Vaccination Poster. Residential aged care facilities may wish to display the attached poster at entrances, to alert anyone entering the facility of the flu vaccination requirements that came into effect on 1 May 2020.

Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line

According to The Department of Health, a new Older Person’s COVID-19 Support Line has been set up to provide information, support and check on older Australians during the period of social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COTA Australia, National Seniors, Dementia Australia and the Older Person’s Advocacy Network have banded together to deliver this service with support from the Australian Government.

Senior Australians, their families and carers can freecall 1800 171 866 if they:

• would like to talk with someone about what COVID-19 means for them or a loved one
• are feeling lonely or distressed
• are caring for a someone and need some information or a listening ear about what COVID-19 means for your circumstances
• are worried about COVID-19 means for their usual aged care service
• are worried about a friend or family member living with dementia.
• are unable to access information on the internet and would like up-to-date advice.

Home care services providers can also use the number and dial option 1 to refer home care clients who would like a call from an independent organisation to check on their wellbeing.

The service will include outbound and inbound calls to provide contact, reassurance and practical advice on connecting to services to maximise social engagement and wellbeing whilst at home.

Resources on diverse population groups are now available for aged care staff

According to The Department of Health, The End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) website helps you to care for older Australians at the end of life. Our new diversity resources can help health workers and aged care staff to care for:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Care leavers
• Carers
• Culturally and linguistically diverse people
• Financially or socially disadvantaged people
• People experiencing homelessness
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
• People living in rural and remote areas
• People with spirituality and faith beliefs
• Veterans

How people think about death, dying and end of life is different for each person. Learning about these differences can help you to provide good palliative care. Access these resources on the Diverse Population Groups page of the ELDAC website.

What Matters Most – New person centred care resources

According to The Department of Health, Palliative Care Australia, through a Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund grant, has launched a suite of resources to encourage early conversations about What Matters Most to older people, their care and their end of life preferences.

6 steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care

Issued by the Department of Health, this infographic outlines the 6 steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care.

Aged care video alert: Dignity of risk

According to Lexology, the concept of dignity of risk is not entirely new, however it now has a position of prominence in aged care with the Aged Care Quality Standards. In this video update, senior associate Dr Melanie Tan explains:

• What does dignity of risk mean?
• Where and when does dignity of risk apply?
• What is the duty of care within dignity of risk?