Aged care news highlights from the week ending 12 April 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.

Coronavirus / COVID-19 News

Advance Care Planning and COVID-19 – Webinars commencing 15 April 2020

According to The Department of Health, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing questions around advance care planning delivery at this time, Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA) and the End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) program will host a series of webinars this month for various health sector audiences, including aged care, GPs and healthcare/hospitals. The ELDAC webinar series will provide a Q&A style format for frontline staff with experts within the aged care and specialist palliative care sectors to explore a broad range of issues facing those working in the aged care sector. The ACPA webinars will feature panellists including ACPA representatives and various sector experts and will cover:

• advance care planning priorities and actions required in the context of COVID-19
• roles and responsibilities of the workforce and service providers in advance care planning during COVID-19
• ACPA resources available for consumers, staff and service providers.

The webinars will be held on 15, 17, 23, 28 and 30 April 2020.

Residential Aged Care Communiqué Volume 15 Special Issue 1.2 April 2020

This is a special edition of the Residential Aged Care Communiqué. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it. The challenges ahead for residential aged care services are profound. This RAC-Communiqué edition presents a sobering case report from the United States of America, describes the not so obvious aspects about the COVID-19 pandemic, and four potential scenarios for RACS to consider in our planning.

Taskforce creates clinical guidelines for COVID-19

According to Hospital and Healthcare, professional groups from Australia’s health sector have formed a taskforce to develop ‘living guidelines’ that will provide continually updated, evidence-based guidance to clinicians caring for people with COVID-19. The guidelines will form a key part of Australia’s response to COVID-19. The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce — convened by the Australian Living Evidence Consortium based at Cochrane Australia in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University — is made up of teams of researchers, experts and clinicians that have been working around the clock to deliver national guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19 across primary, acute and critical care settings.

Experts issue warning on aged care restraints and COVID-19

According to Aged Care Insite, chemical and physical restraints are particularly dangerous for those living with dementia and diagnosed with COVID-19, and aged care facilities should explore alternatives. That’s the advice from Dementia Support Australia (DSA), a HammondCare-led national service funded by the Australian Government. The group’s director Associate Professor Colm Cunningham said ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and resulting isolation have created a stressful environment for residents living with dementia and added it may lead to an increase in behavioural and psychological symptoms.

Advising the Department of Health of an outbreak of COVID-19

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, providers are urged to advise the Department of Health of any confirmed cases of either residents/care recipients or workers in your facility, service or program. Once you have advised of any confirmed cases, the Government can quickly assist with:

• PPE
• Staff supplementation and reimbursement

Please advise agedcareCOVIDcases@health.gov.au and the Department will be in touch promptly to discuss options for support.

This information will be shared with the Commission to enable ongoing actions to ensure that aged care providers are supported in providing safe, quality care during the pandemic.

Priority and process for ordering PPE

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, as advised by the Department of Health, aged care facilities, program and workers where there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 are being prioritised for access to personal protective equipment (PPE) from the national stockpile. Aged care providers requesting access to PPE should email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au.

The following information must be included in a provider’s email request

• the facility, program or service requiring PPE
• if you have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 at your facility, program or service
• types and quantities of PPE required – please note, only masks are available at this stage and other PPE will be provided when available
• details of other suppliers you have attempted to source PPE stock from.

Requests can be made by aged care services and any workers providing support to people receiving aged care support living in the community.

Requirements regarding the annual influenza vaccination this year

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, in the current situation, the importance of the annual influenza vaccination cannot be overstated. We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and others in the community, including older Australians, from what is a largely preventable disease. While the influenza vaccination will not protect you or others from COVID-19, it is important for people to have the vaccine because the symptoms of the two can be confused, and also, contracting both would put a person’s health at greater risk.

From 1 May 2020, as part of recently announced restrictions on visitors to residential aged care services, all visitors and staff will be required to have the influenza vaccination.

This strengthens the existing requirement under the Aged Care Quality Standards for aged care providers to encourage staff and volunteers to get vaccinated, including by being required to offer free flu vaccinations to them every year, and to keep records of their vaccinations. For more information, refer to the Quality of Care Principles 2014 and the Records Principles 2014.

You can read the Department of Health’s fact sheet on restrictions on entry into and visitors to aged care services on its website.

Proactive contact with residential providers on infection control and pandemic preparedness

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, between 17 and 26 March 2020, the Commission undertook brief assessment contacts by telephone with all residential aged care approved providers to monitor and support their preparation for a COVID-19 outbreak. Approved providers were asked to discuss their responsibilities under the Aged Care Quality Standards and to outline their response to guidance material that has been released including the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) infection control guidelines and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice on visits to vulnerable groups including residential aged care services.

Over 870 approved providers were contacted. Key findings included:

• most approved providers were aware of, and had implemented, the CDNA infection control guidelines and/or AHPPC advice; and
• approved providers have concerns regarding access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Additionally, approved providers used this brief contact as an opportunity to ask questions of the Commission and we are following up with individual organisations where additional support is required.

COVID retention bonus divisive and unfair, say peaks

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, provider and worker representatives are calling for the government’s aged care retention bonus to be expanded to include laundry, cleaning and catering staff in residential aged care. The government’s $445 million aged care package announced on 20 March targets specific mechanisms to support the aged care workforce. It includes $235 million for a COVID-19 retention bonus to assist residential and home aged care providers to keep staff. However, in residential aged care it is for care staff only with other frontline and resident-facing roles ineligible. The aged care provider peak bodies Aged and Community Services Australia, Leading Age Services Australia and the Aged Care Guild and worker representative Health Services Union are united in their calls for the bonus to go to all essential facility staff.

Victorian Department of Health Coronavirus COVID-19 daily update

According to the Victorian Department of Health, this Chief Health Officer update is intended to provide clinicians and the Victorian public with information about the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victoria as well as relevant public health response activities in Victoria. Chief Health Officer Alerts will continue to be issued when there are changes to the public health advice related to COVID-19.

Palliative care experts join forces to bolster end-of-life care during crisis

According to Aged Care Insite, a group of palliative care experts from across Australia and New Zealand are coming together to bolster the Australian response to COVID-19 and provide the best end-of-life care possible during this once in a lifetime pandemic. The Flinders Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying CareSearch team has joined forces with the Australian Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Palliative Care Working Group (ACPCWG), supporting nationwide preparation in the event of rapid COVID-19 spread and mortality.

NSW looking at relaxing COVID-19 restrictions next month – but what about aged care staff and vulnerable residents?

According to The Donaldson Sisters, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced the State Government could potentially ease the strict social distancing measures designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus as early as 1 May – just over three weeks away. Newspapers are reporting that some NSW MPs are pushing for the restrictions to be lifted because of the impact on the economy – arguing that exposing healthy Australians to the virus will lift immunity rates. They say schools are the most likely area to begin increasing ‘herd immunity’ for the community. But similar strategies in other countries have not been successful so far.

Phone welfare checks for older Australians

According to Aged Care Insite, elderly people who have suspended in-home services during the coronavirus crisis will soon receive welfare checks over the phone. Many older Australians have scrapped home care visits to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19. Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck is nervous vulnerable people could fall through the cracks. “It’s clear some senior Australians are anxious about the risks of visits from providers,” he said on Wednesday. “Of course, it’s their choice to receive or not receive care, but we remain determined to ensure those who need support are still receiving it.”

Telehealth helping residents receive quality care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, long-sought after changes allowing rebates for telehealth consultations are enabling general practitioners to deliver continued and quality care to aged care residents. Aged care residents can now access Medicare bulk-billed telehealth services as part of several measures announced by the Federal Government last month in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It allows doctors, nurses, mental and allied health professionals to receive a rebate under the Medicare Benefits Schedule for services delivered over the telephone or video call or conferencing technology.

New State of the Sector videos on COVID-19

In partnership with LASA, Altura Learning has released two new videos on the continued effects COVID-19 is having on residential care facilities, home and community care services, and retirement living operators. LASA CEO Sean Rooney discusses the precautions organisations can take to help protect staff and the people they care for. Sean also explains recent government changes to help support the aged care workforce.

TGA-approved coronavirus-killing labelling out in force

According to Hospital and Healthcare, a surface disinfectant produced by Whiteley Corporation is reported to be the first product in Australia to carry the new Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-approved label claim against the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. The TGA confirmed that Viraclean “Kills Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)”, which has been added to the product’s label. The new label comes following new amendments to the TGA guidelines under Therapeutic Goods Order 104, which allow listed disinfectants to make validated claims to kill the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus on surfaces.

Free resources for care workers to keep residents active

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, an aged care allied health organisation has launched a series of videos and a weekly live exercise class on ZOOM to help combat physical deconditioning among aged care residents during the coronavirus pandemic. The Get Up Guide is a daily training program of exercises designed for care workers to deliver to residents daily to keep residents active and minimise the side effects of reduced activity like falls. It is an initiative of aged care allied health professionals Guide HealthCare and is available to all for free.

Other News

Escalating financial distress making care of older Australians unsustainable

According to LASA, an independent report reveals escalating financial distress across the residential aged care sector. The latest StewartBrown report shows the number of residential care homes operating at a loss jumped from 42 to 56 per cent in a year, with this rate rising to 71 per cent in outer regional and remote areas. “Hundreds of aged care providers who are dedicated to delivering quality care to thousands of older Australians are under significant, ongoing, financial pressure,” LASA CEO Sean Rooney said.

Now? NZ couple launches vision of aged care cruise ship

According to Aged Care Insite, at a time when cruise ships are becoming writ large as heaving leviathans of deadly contagion, one couple in New Zealand has just put on the market a new venture to place the most vulnerable age group on board. Elysium Cruise Line Residence is the vision of Andre and Avril Sidler: a self-funded, luxury repurposed six-star cruise ship that is simultaneously a premium aged care home, with a flagship voyage scheduled for 2024. Chasing temperate climes on a flexible but predictable itinerary (with up-to-date location data streamed via website and app for families and friends), the elderly elite travel in stateroom cabins to boutique ports across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Legislation

Pharmacist Supply on a Digital Image (PHEO #4) (VIC) – came into effect 07.04.20

The purpose of this Order is:

(1) to facilitate a registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, dentist, authorised midwife, authorised optometrist or authorised podiatrist (practitioner) to obtain and possess, use, sell or supply a Schedule 4 poison (other than a drug of dependence) for a patient who in the opinion of the practitioner is at risk of the COVID-19 virus;

(2) to enable pharmacists in Victoria to sell or supply a Schedule 4 poison (other than a drug of dependence) on an electronically transmitted digital image of an original prescription transmitted directly to the pharmacist from a practitioner.

Resources and Upcoming Events

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.

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.

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?

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.

Financial Transformation in Aged Care Conference – 29-30 April 2020, Sydney (Live Stream Online)

Criterion Conferences is hosting a live streamed 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.

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.