Aged care news highlights from the week ending 15 September 2023, aggregated by Ideagen.
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 Ideagen.
COVID-19 News
ATAGI update: Additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccination dose
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated their advice for the COVID-19 booster dose. If it has been six months since receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, an additional dose:
- is recommended for people aged 75 or older
- should be considered for people aged 65-74, following discussion with their health care provider.
Aged care residents who have not yet received any booster dose this year are advised to do so. Residential aged care homes are responsible for ensuring residents have access to recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. See the Department of Health and Aged Care website for information about managing and delivering COVID-19 vaccination.
Other News
24/7 registered nurse reporting for August now due
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, 24/7 registered nurse (RN) coverage reporting for August in GPMS is due by 11:59pm AEST Thursday 7 September 2023. Providers that fail to report:
Services Australia reminds eligible providers to complete their 24/7 RN reporting before submitting their August 24/7 RN supplement claim. For information on 24/7 RN coverage reported in July see:
Changes to care minutes allocations
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, care minutes allocations for each Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) class will change from 1 October 2023. These changes ensure care minutes targets align with services’ care funding through AN-ACC, and better match care time with residents’ needs. The care minutes allocations for each AN-ACC class are used to calculate care minutes targets for residential aged care services. This means from 1 October 2023, the mandatory targets you are required to meet may be different to your current targets. To prepare for any changes, estimate the care minutes targets for your services using the AN-ACC funding and care minutes estimator.
Residential aged care pricing activities – access for the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, approved residential aged care providers must, if requested to participate in pricing activities, give the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) access and assistance to:
- all areas on premises of services (other than personal rooms of residents not part of pricing activities)
- residents who are participating in pricing activities
- staff on premises during a pricing activity
- provider records.
This will help IHACPA develop up-to-date pricing that reflects the true costs of delivering residential aged care. For more information, see Section 10.1 of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding guide.
Slight financial lift for sector, says report
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the financial performance of residential aged care providers continues to improve, according to the latest government report.
Government spending on community care projected to rise ‘significantly’
According to Community Care Review, Australia’s ageing population will place further pressures on the aged care system and, in turn, government finances, warns the latest intergenerational report. Formally released last week by the Treasury, the report – the sixth of its kind – provides a “big picture view” of the nation’s fiscal position over the next 40 years.
Ageing population requires new model of care, say nurses
According to Community Care Review, in the wake of the findings of the intergenerational report, a coalition of peak nursing organisations is calling for Australia to adopt innovative models of care to support a healthier ageing population.
Guide aims to improve quality of life through design
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the aged care accommodation design guidelines have been released and are available for stakeholder consultation. Built on evidence-based research undertaken over several decades – and in response to a recommendation by the royal commission – the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines aim to create safe and comfortable living environments that promote independence, function and enjoyment for aged care residents – particularly those living with dementia.
Victorian aged care homes most likely to be victims of theft
According to Aged Care Insite, according to recent data, theft was the number one crime in nursing homes. In the year to March 2023, aged-care facilities saw more thefts than any other crimes – with nursing homes in Monash being targeted the most.
Dementia and voting in the Voice referendum
According to Aged Care Insite, Dementia Australia (DA) is asking the families, carers and doctors of those living with dementia to start the conversation about voting in the upcoming referendum. DA chief Maree McCabe AM said each family should make a decision depending on their relatives' individual circumstances, and carers can help support them through that process.
Home Care News
No significant developments this week.
Legislation
No significant developments this week.
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