Aged care news highlights from the week ending 01 March 2020.

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 and Critical Success Solutions.

Universal support for more aged care staff

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, provider peaks and the nurses’ union agree with recommendations for more and better qualified aged care workers but their opinions differ on staff-to-resident ratios. The provider peaks also agree on the need for more funding to pay for the increase in staff and expected quality of care.

New dementia figures released, government action urged

According to Aged Care Insite, new figures released today by Dementia Australia put the number of people estimated to be living with dementia in Australia at 459,000, an increase of around 116,00 since 2015. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing, in 2015 there were an estimated 342,800 people living with dementia in Australia, an increase of nearly 100,000 people since 2005 and dementia Australia estimates that by 2058, the number of people diagnosed with Dementia will be over one million. Federal parliamentarians, government officials and dementia advocates will today convene with the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia to be presented with some practical solutions for transforming dementia care in Australia. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said that despite the ongoing royal commission, urgent action is needed now.

Treat clients like individuals, not tasks, researchers say

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, new research has highlighted the importance of home care workers treating their clients like individuals rather than a “task” and calls for greater inclusion of diversity principles in workforce training. The study, The inter-relationship of diversity principles for the enhanced participation of older people in their care published in the Journal for Equity in Health interviewed fifteen Victorian home care recipients aged between 71-85 about their experience of diversity. The results show that older people want and expect to be treated as individuals and are acutely aware of biases and prejudice among care workers. “The people that get up my nose are the people that don’t show any interest”,  one respondent said.

New initiative supports resident wellbeing

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a new government-funded psychosocial mental health service has been launched to support aged care residents. The Emotional Wellbeing for Older Persons Program is a new service the Northern Sydney Primary Health Network has commissioned and funded Sydney not-for-profit service provider Anglicare to run. The program will deliver mental health supports to people living in residential aged care homes experiencing mental health symptoms, such as those related to a loss of independence, health, social networks or loved ones. The funding comes from the Federal Government’s May 2018 budget initiative of $82.5 million over four years to improve access to mental health treatment for aged care residents (read more here). Emotional Wellbeing in Older Persons Program manager Ann Gaffney said the program addressed a gap in mental health service provision in aged care facilities, where more than half of residents experience some degree of depression.

Update on the Specialist Dementia Care Program

According to The Department of Health, the Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) supports people with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia who cannot be cared for in a mainstream residential aged care facility. Under the SDCP, a prototype unit began operation in Inglewood, Perth in September 2019. As a result of the SDCP’s first funding round a further nine units will open between January and July 2020. These units are in eight Primary Health Network regions:

• Adelaide
• Australian Capital Territory
• Brisbane North
• Brisbane South
• Hunter New England and Central Coast
• North Western Melbourne
• North Queensland
• South Eastern Melbourne.

For more information and eligibility requirements please visit the department’s website.

COMPASS website and 1800ElderHelp (1800 353 374) line

According to The Department of Health, a new online resource to better understand and address the issue of elder abuse is now available. The COMPASS – Guiding Action on Elder Abuse website makes it easy for consumers to get the information they need, when they need it. Information available on the website includes:

• recognising elder abuse
• help for people experiencing elder abuse
• how to respond if you suspect an older person is experiencing elder abuse.

The COMPASS website will be regularly expanded and updated, with greater functionality and service sector resources to come in mid-2020. In addition, a free 1800ElderHelp (1800 353 374) phone line has been established by the Australian Government in collaboration with state and territory governments, and is available to provide free and confidential support.

Commencement of Business Improvement Fund Application Process

According to The Department of Health, the Government recently announced a Business Improvement Fund to support eligible residential care providers improve their business operations. The fund will provide targeted grant-based assistance to providers at greatest risk of service failure, particularly where the impacts on residents would be highest. The first phase of the application process has now commenced with the release of the Business Case Template which providers will be required to submit as part of their application, along with independent business advice. To complete the template providers will need to set out a clear business case and strategy for use of any grant funds – this would need to address how any funding provided would directly contribute to improving and making more sustainable the operations of the provider. Detailed grant guidelines and an online application form will be available in coming weeks to further assist providers in finalising their applications. Please visit the department’s website for more information and to access the fact sheet and Business Case Template.

Government performs U-turn on ACAT privatisation

According to Aged Care Insite, the Government announced on Friday that it will abandon its controversial plans to privatise the ACAT assessment process. A communiqué released from the COAG Health Council meeting said: “The Commonwealth has confirmed that it is not proceeding with the current tender process. Over the longer term the Commonwealth will take advice from States and Territories and from the Royal Commission about what the exact delivery mix should be.” This comes after months of anger from the public, the sector and several politicians over the plans, which some say would lower the standard of assessment and focus on profit over care.

Labor leader speaks out against aged care assessment tender

According to Community Care Review, the Federal Opposition leader has called on the government to cancel its plans to put aged care assessments out to tender in an address to a political, business and media forum this week. Labor has also started an online campaign to stop the changes. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese spoke out against the plan while delivering a vision statement on respecting and valuing older Australians to the Queensland Media Club in Brisbane on Wednesday. He said the aged care sector was broken due a collective failure of governments who have turned a blind eye for too long.

RC recommends 4-star staffing model

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, aged care providers should be required to meet a prescribed amount of daily care, registered nurse and allied health time per resident under a minimum staff-to-resident ratio model, say Counsel Assisting the royal commission. Senior Counsel Assisting Peter Rozen presented 10 workforce recommendations in a submission to the aged care royal commissioners at a hearing in Adelaide on Friday proposing a registered nurse on site at all times and more RNs and nurse practitioners. In addition to mandated staffing in residential aged care, the recommendations cover quarterly publishing of facility staffing levels, a registration scheme for personal care workers and funding to implement the workforce taskforce recommendations.

Government ‘nudge’ letters not the answer to drug problem in aged care

According to Aged Care Insite, in December last year, the Department of Health took the first steps to combat the overuse of anti-psychotic medication as a chemical restraint by sending GPs a letter outlining the effects of overuse of these drugs and devising new protocols for problem prescribers. More than 28,000 health practitioners – mostly GPs – who prescribe in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) were sent the letter with a follow up “nudge” letter to be sent to a smaller group to “assist them to reflect on their prescribing patterns of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines”. The idea of a “nudge” is a tool of behavioural science which is used to change behaviour: in this case aimed at highlighting the prescriber’s rate of prescription in relation to the average rate of their peers in the hope that this will correct any oversights in prescription. However, GPs did not react well to the advice, with RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon commenting that GPs are fully aware of the correct way to prescribe the drugs. “GPs know that chemical restraints in aged care facilities are the last resort. Those aren’t my words, they’re what GPs who work in these facilities every day have told me,” he said.

Providers urged to focus on infection control, emergency planning

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer has advised residential aged care operators to ensure they are taking precautions to prevent and control infections and prepare for health emergencies as the coronavirus situation worsens. In a letter to providers on 26 February, Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said COVID-19, formerly known as novel coronavirus, presented challenges to the residential aged care sector. He said with the COVID-19 situation evolving and the 2020 influenza season approaching, the Commonwealth, aged care and health sectors and public health authorities needed to collaborate on planning and preparedness activities.

Residential Aged Care Infection Control and Emergency Planning – Letter from the Chief Medical Officer

The Department of Health has issued this letter to residential aged care providers from the Chief Medical Officer. The letter stresses the importance of infection control and provides some links to resources.

Aged care sector’s transition prompts major decisions for providers and government: opinion

According to Aged Care Insite, “In the middle of every transformation there is the perception of failure.” This observation, articulated by a wise colleague, manifests itself in many contexts. Right now, it applies to the aged care system as it grapples with the necessary changes highlighted by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. In their Interim Report, delivered in October 2019, the Commissioners found that aged care in Australia fails to meet the needs of older, vulnerable citizens. “It does not deliver uniformly safe and quality care, is unkind and uncaring towards older people and, in too many instances, it neglects them,” the commissioners said. But we must keep in mind that the system is in the midst of a transformation that has the potential to vastly improve it.

Legislation

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 1) Bill 2020 (Cth) – Bill introduced 27.02.20

The purpose of the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 1) Bill 2020 (the Bill) is to change the payment of home care subsidy to approved providers from being paid in advance to being paid in arrears.

Paying home care subsidy in arrears will introduce a more contemporary business practice into home care subsidy payment arrangements and bring these arrangements into alignment with other Government programs.

The Bill will not affect the eligibility of consumers to home care subsidy or the amount of home care subsidy payable for eligible home care consumers.

Resources and Upcoming Events

Calculating residential accommodation payments in a leap year

This year is a leap year, with 366 days instead of 365. The Department of Health has received queries from approved providers of residential care seeking advice on how to calculate a daily accommodation payment (DAP) in a leap year. The calculators specified in the Fees and Payments Principles 2014 (No. 2) (the Principles) refer to 365 days for working out:

• the DAP (or contribution) equivalent to a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) (or contribution)
• the amount of interest on a RAD (or contribution) balance or accommodation bond balance.

Even though 2020 is a leap year, residential care providers should continue to use 365 days when calculating DAP amounts and the interest payable on refunds of lump sum deposits. But please be aware that daily payments and daily contributions are payable for 366 days in 2020.

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.

Quality Indicators (QIs) pilot – specific service types invited to participate

The Department of Health has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to assist in the development and pilot to trial the new QIs relating to:

• medication management
• falls and fractures.

To ensure the pilot captures the views and experiences of residential aged care services nationally, the department would like to strongly encourage the following services to take part:

• Services operating in Queensland or remote areas
• Smaller services (less than 50 residential aged care places)
• Previous QI Program pilot participants
• Private (for profit) or State Government services.

Participation in the pilot is an opportunity for your service to trial and provide feedback on these indicators ahead of the implementation of the additional QIs from 1 July 2021. The pilot will commence in February 2020, please register your interest by 27 January 2020.

NATSIFAC Program Bi-Annual One-off Grant Opportunity – Second Approach now open

According to The Department of Health, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program 2019-2020 Bi-Annual One-off Grant Opportunity – Second Approach is a targeted, competitive application process. NATSIFAC Program service providers can apply for grant funding to address a clearly identified need that supports the delivery of aged care services. Service providers in remote and very remote Australia (geographical locations defined as Modified Monash Model 6 and 7) will be prioritised. The Grant Opportunity opened on Thursday 16 January 2020. All applications must be received by the department by 2:00pm, Thursday 12 March 2020.

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?

ITAC 2020 Transforming Independence Through Innovative Technology – 3,4 March 2020, Royal ICC Brisbane

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, exhibitors at this year’s conference include:

• Souped Up Catering software
• Telstra Health and
• Webstercare

Webinar: Update on new aged care assessment arrangements – 11 March 2020, 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm (AEDT)

According to The Department of Health, this webinar will provide an update on the development of new aged care assessment arrangements and address common themes arising from stakeholder questions during the December 2019 webinar. The new arrangements will start from April 2021, providing a streamlined process for consumers to access aged care services.

5^th Quality in Aged Care Conference – 18-19 March 2020, Sydney

Criterion Conferences is combining the two areas of Quality and Customer Experience into one streamed event. After a year of public scrutiny and negative publicity, and with the Royal Commission Final Report on the horizon, this is your chance to join with industry leaders and experts and unpack key issues with a vision for person-centred, best practice approaches.

Dementia Australian National Symposium – 24 March 2020, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

According to Aged Care Insite, we are bringing an impressive line-up of local and international leaders to equip you to lead industry transformation. You will leave inspired, equipped and ready for change.

10^th Annual Australian Healthcare Week – 25-26 March 2020, Sydney

Australian Healthcare Week is the largest healthcare event in Australia, bringing together over 7,000 healthcare professionals under the one roof for two days of networking, learning and collaboration. Celebrating our 10th Birthday in 2020, Australian Healthcare Week is returning to the International Convention Centre in Sydney on the 25 - 26 March 2020 and is all about continuously improving our hospitals and workforce for the future. It’s free to attend.

Financial Transformation in Aged Care Conference – 29-30 April 2020, Sydney

Criterion Conferences is hosting a Financial Transformation in Aged Care Conference. Developed in partnership with COTA Australia and ACSA, this event is your opportunity to voice your concerns, strategise with leading providers, and actively engage in dialogue that will build a stronger, sustainable future for your organisation and the industry.

2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997

According to the Department of Health, the 2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 is now available from the GEN Aged Care Data website. The report details the operation of Australia’s aged care system during the 2018–19 financial year and provides a snapshot of the system as a whole. It is delivered to Parliament each year by the Minister in accordance with section 63-2 of the Aged Care Act 1997.

2^nd Governance in Aged Care Conference – 20-21 May 2020, Doltone House Hyde Park Sydney

According to Criterion Conferences, the 2nd Governance in Aged Care conference has been developed in partnership with COTA Australia and ACSA to support you to effectively lead and govern your aged care service into the future. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of what good governance structures and culture looks like in practice, and how you could apply this to your own organisation.