Aged care news highlights from the week ending 18 October 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

Infection control spot checks – learnings so far

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Commission has expanded its infection control spot checks at residential aged care facilities across Australia. The spot checks are conducted to observe infection control defences to ensure that services are adhering to infection control arrangements, including safe PPE protocols. This summary covers What Providers are Doing Well, What Could Be Improved, and Good Ideas and Initiatives Noted During our Visits.

Provider responsibilities on infection control

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, on 31 August 2020, Minister Hunt and Minister Colbeck advised that the Australian Government will extend payments to provide a further $245 million injection into all residential aged care facilities to support the sector on COVID-19 response. The announcement included that this funding will be required to be used by providers to fund and support enhanced infection control capability, including through an on-site clinical lead.

Website updates and resources

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission:

Referral of information to Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission template

This template is used to refer key information, feedback or concerns to the Commission about care and services provided by Residential Aged Care Providers and Home Service Providers.

Key Personnel template

In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 at a residential service, the service’s Outbreak Management Team and key personnel at the service will be working in close co-operation with public health authorities and other parties to ensure an effective emergency response. A key personnel template has been developed to assist providers in identifying key personnel of the service and their contact details to support this response.

COVID-19 information page 

Our COVID-19 information page is regularly updated with resources from the Commission, the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders. The latest updates are announced at the top of the homepage of the Commission’s website. 

Repatriation fact sheet now available

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) has issued a fact sheet to assist residential aged care providers in managing the repatriation of multiple residents to a residential aged care service in Victoria after a COVID-19 outbreak. The approach to returning residents focuses decision making on the preferences of residents and their families, good communication and information sharing, planning and logistics and reducing the risk of transmission for returning consumers and those on site.

COVID-19 resources – translated

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, as part of its ongoing role in providing guidance and resources for providers, consumers and their representatives, the Commission has translated some of its COVID-19 resources into 15 languages. The translated resources include the ‘How to stay safe from COVID-19’ video, which aims to help consumers understand the steps they can take to keep themselves safe during the current pandemic.

Testing of asymptomatic residential aged care workers in 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, Australians living in aged care are among those most vulnerable to becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19. Stopping this virus from spreading into Victoria’s aged care facilities is our top priority. Testing gives health authorities the chance to find people with COVID-19 who are working in aged care, before they appear unwell. This will help health authorities identify where community transmission is occurring, before there are COVID-19 outbreaks.

To help the sector to drive down case numbers, the Australian Government has expanded capacity for testing of asymptomatic aged care workers. Residential aged care services in Victoria will be contacted by Melbourne Pathology or Aspen Medical, to offer in-reach testing for aged care workers. Services in hotspot locations will be prioritised.

Participation in testing is voluntary; however, we strongly encourage all residential aged care workers to participate. Aged Care workers include those on staff at the facility whether in direct personal care, hospitality services or administrative support. Testing is also encouraged for workers who may regularly attend the facility, such as medical practitioners, allied health, and National Disability Insurance Scheme staff. Testing will help providers know the COVID-19 status of workers on a given day. This may also alert providers if someone is positive before further transmission or a significant outbreak occurs.

Please see the testing of asymptomatic aged care workers factsheet for further information.

Grief and trauma support for the aged care sector

(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 Australian Government is investing $12.4 million in a Grief and Trauma Response Package to ensure support is available for those affected by COVID-19 across the aged care sector. This is part of the $171.5 million COVID-19 response plan for aged care support programs announced in August 2020.

The three organisations that will deliver these services are experts in their field and will provide a national response, as well as surge responses in COVID-19 hot spots, as required:

Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in post-traumatic mental health. Phoenix will deliver a sector-wide trauma-informed care package that provides trauma training and resources for aged care residents, their families and aged care staff, including through the establishment of a dedicated website.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) will provide specialist information and support to residential aged care and home care recipients and their families who have been affected by COVID-19.

Dementia Support Australia (DSA) will implement a proactive engagement program to help alleviate the impacts of lockdown on aged care residents living with dementia.

Departmental case managers supporting aged care providers, the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre, and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) will continue their enhanced advocacy and information support to people during the COVID-19 pandemic. OPAN will also play a linking and referral role to ensure that people who need them are aware of these services.

Read the Minister’s full media release.

New COVID-19 supplement

(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.)

The Department of Health his highlighted the letter from Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians regarding the Government’s $217.6 million COVID-19 supplement payment which is being made available to assist residential aged care providers with the additional costs of preparing for and responding to COVID-19 from October 2020. This follows the first payment of the COVID-19 supplement in June 2020.

This funding is made available to providers to assist with the additional costs of preparing for and responding to COVID-19, including costs associated with facilitating and managing visitation arrangements for residents, infection prevention and control (IPC) and additional staff costs.

One of the specific requirements of the second payment is that every facility engage an onsite clinical lead to provide leadership and increase capacity in relation to IPC. Effective IPC capability is critical to minimising COVID-19 infections in residential care and responding to outbreaks that do occur.

Extended Support for aged care workers in COVID-19 grant

(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 Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) Grant Opportunity is designed to minimise the risk of infection to aged care workers, residents and other consumers of aged care services. The Grant Opportunity was initially available to providers located in, or with staff located in, Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire until 26 October 2020. The Government has now agreed to further extend the grant period to 30 November 2020. While the COVID-19 situation in Victoria is easing, this further extension of funding will allow workers to continue to be supported to work at a single site in an effort to minimise the risk of ongoing outbreaks.

Approved providers can apply for funding up until 30 June 2021 to cover the costs of supporting eligible workers during the period to 30 November 2020:

• who normally work at multiple residential aged care facilities, but will be working solely at the facility being applied for
• who are not to work because they have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive, require testing or are subject to self-isolation or quarantine requirements
• to undertake training in the event a skills gap arises from where existing workers are not to work due to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or are subject to self-isolation or quarantine requirements.

You can view the Grant Opportunity and documentation at Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (GO4215) Program.

For updates to the Guiding Principles for residential aged care – keeping Victorian residents and workers safe or further information and assistance, you can contact the Guiding Principles Support Hub on 1800 491 793 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm).

Hay fever and COVID-19

(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, people who have hay fever or allergic asthma may have similar symptoms to the symptoms of COVID-19. Some differences are:

• fever does not occur with hay fever or allergic asthma
• itchy nose, itchy and watery eyes, and itchy throat and palate are common symptoms of hay fever but not COVID-19

More information about the different symptoms is available in the COVID-19: Identifying the symptoms factsheet. It can be difficult to tell if your symptoms are due to allergies or to COVID-19. You should stay home and get tested:

• when you first get the allergy symptoms
• if your symptoms are unexpected, seem different or worse than usual, or do not respond to your usual medication.

Dr Nick Coatsworth gives more information about allergies and testing for COVID-19 in his Top 3 questions from 15 September 2020 video.

Updated NSW restrictions

(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, NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, has written to the state’s Residential Aged Care Providers and Home Care Services with new advice.

Updates since the 9 October 2020 advice:

• Exclusion recommendations are in place for certain areas in Sydney and Victoria. These include:
  • Any person who has been in Shepparton, VIC in the previous 14 days should be excluded regardless of a valid COVID-19 border region resident permit
  • Lakemba (suburb), Liverpool LGA and Camden LGA
• Further advice will be reconsidered next week based on the incidence of COVID-19. In the meantime, facilities should monitor the COVID-19 news and updates for any new locations of concern.

Govt’s grief and trauma support lacks measures for staff

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Federal Government’s package for grief and trauma will increase aged care workers’ already heavy workloads and not adequately support them, an aged care workforce expert tells Australian Ageing Agenda. Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck announced a $12.4 million grief and trauma package on Wednesday to support people in the aged care sector affected by COVID-19. It comes as Victoria reports one new case linked to residential aged care facilities and 23 active cases among a cumulative total of 4,632, according to data from the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre on 15 October. The package, which is part of the $171.5 million COVID-19 response plan for aged care announced in August, will provide direct support to residential and home aged care recipients and their families through improved advocacy assistance, grief and bereavement counselling.

Infection control checks skip two-thirds of aged care facilities

According to The Age, aged care experts have raised the alarm about a potential deadly resurgence of COVID-19 infections in residential facilities as new data shows most providers are yet to receive a visit from the federal regulator. Joseph Ibrahim, head of the health law and ageing research unit at Monash University, said the sector was still "not well prepared" to deal with outbreaks, putting hundreds of thousands of residents at risk. "The risk hasn't gone," Professor Ibrahim said. New figures provided to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age show the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is yet to perform COVID-19 infection control checks on about two-thirds of providers nationally, and half of those in Victoria.

Other News

What the budget means to aged care

According to the Australian Financial Review, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is the government's "get out of jail free" card regarding the 2020-21 federal budget. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg acknowledged aged care as one of the greatest challenges and promised a comprehensive response to the commission's recommendations when it delivers in February next year. But the budget did not address any of the necessary, large-scale reform to home-based or residential care.

Aged care sector responds to missed opportunities in Federal Budget

According to Aged Care Guide, the Federal Government released the Federal Budget on Tuesday night which offered investments into the aged care sector but has still been labelled by peak bodies and aged care providers as a missed opportunity to tackle financial problems in the industry.

A lack of registered nurses is the next aged care crisis, but will anyone listen?

According to Aged Care Insite, Maree Bernoth is angry. It doesn’t appear straight away; she’s affable on the phone and the kind of interviewee you enjoy chatting to on a Friday. She’s open and likes a yarn. She is an associate professor at Charles Sturt University School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, but first and foremost she is a nurse and has spent two decades trying to get people to see the mess aged cared is in, hence her anger.

In July, the royal commission found that by 2050 Australia will need over 200,000 registered nurses working in aged care. Currently we have 22,000. Bernoth says that since the aged care reforms of the 90s, culminating in the Aged Care Act 1997, there has been a concerted push to get rid of the registered nurse throughout the sector as well as a reframing of what aged care is.

The case for more nurses in aged care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, registered nurses can and should make a difference to the quality of care in residential aged care homes, writes Dr Joan Ostaszkiewicz. Residential aged care homes must employ more registered nurses (RNs) to work directly with residents if they are serious about improving quality of care. Residential aged care homes with higher rates of RNs qualified in ageing or aged care are associated with fewer pressure injuries, lower restraint use, decreased probability of hospitalisation, fewer complaints, decreased incidence of urinary tract infections and decreased mortality, research published in Nursing economic$ in 2015 showed.

Care as the foundation of industry: Providers gather for LASA conference

According to Inside Ageing, aged care providers must operate differently and reshape community perceptions, peak body Leading Age Services Australia has said, as it kicks off ten days of industry-wide discussions. In his opening remarks to the LASA Congress this morning, chief executive officer Sean Rooney highlighted the challenges facing the industry amid the royal commission, funding overhauls and negative community perceptions. He called for a once-in-a-generation change in the industry to transform the sector to a person-centred approach through collaboration and commitment between healthcare, mental health and other social services.

Unspent home care funds a ‘self-imposed’ problem

According to Community Care Review, the problem of unspent funds is self-imposed by providers who are failing to operate the home care program properly, an industry expert says. Aged care consultant and managing director at e-Tools Software David Powis spoke about what he termed “the scourge of unspent funds” during an online presentation at the Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Congress on Tuesday. He also warned that the recovery of unspent funds by the government and the introduction of a new funding model would leave a significant number of providers financially damaged.

New webform for compulsory reporting

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, to ensure the safety and help protect aged care residents, the Aged Care Act 1997 has compulsory reporting provisions that require approved providers of residential aged care services to report suspicions or allegations of reportable assaults at their services within 24 hours to local police and the Commission. The law also requires service providers to report when a resident is absent without explanation (also known as a missing resident).

Prudential targeted campaign - refundable accommodation payment responsibilities and compliance with the Liquidity Standard

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, residential aged care approved providers who hold a refundable deposit (defined in Schedule 1 of the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act) to mean ‘refundable accommodation deposits’ and ‘refundable accommodation contributions’), are required by section 52M-1 of the Act to comply with the Prudential Standards (Part 5 of the Fees and Payments Principles 2014 (No. 2) (the Fees and Payments Principles)). As part of refunding refundable deposit balances, providers are also required to comply with section 52P-1 of the Act (‘refunding refundable deposit balances’) and Part 7 of the Fees and Payments Principles.

Just one in five Australians trust our aged care system, survey shows​

According to The Donaldson Sisters, only 15% of people aged between 60 and 80 have faith in Australia’s aged care system, according to a new report by agency Faster Horses – the same proportion as in 2018 and 2019. The annual survey – which samples over 2,000 Australians and was commissioned by aged care providers – discovered two out of three people using an aged care service don’t trust it. Just one-third (32%) had a high level of trust in their aged care services, while only 33% of those with a relative or loved one receiving aged care services has trust in the system – similar figures to the previous year. Overall, just 22% said they trusted the aged care system.

Stakeholders tell RC how to improve aged care governance

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, advocates have told the royal commission that combining the roles of the health department and the aged care regulator, adding regional planning, appointing a commissioner for older people and ensuring aged care boards have diverse skills are among ways to improve system governance. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety called for submissions on the sector’s system governance in June. Among those responding to the call was Professor Kathy Eagar, who is director of University of Wollongong’s Australian Health Services Research Institute. Professor Eagar has called for the establishment of a National Aged Care Authority, which is a Commonwealth corporate entity that combines the majority of the current functions of both the Department of Health and the existing Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Conference hears future aged care funding options

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, user-pay approaches for people who can afford it or measures embedded in superannuation are among alternative ways that need to be considered to fund aged care, an industry professional has told an aged care conference. Moreover, Australia needs to think about whether it wants an egalitarian or market-driven system, said Darrell Price, principal and national head of health and aged care at Grant Thornton. He said the current hybrid model, which guarantees a level of aged care to all Australians regardless of means with components of a market-driven system such as residential aged care Refundable Accommodation Deposits priced according to demand in an area, has worked reasonably well.

ALERT – My Aged Care scam

(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, it has come to our attention that a client of an ACAT in WA has received a phone call from someone claiming to be from My Aged Care. The caller asked for $25 and bank details to register the client for My Aged Care.

We have asked that this incident be reported to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Please advise your clients of this event and to be aware that this is not how My Aged Care operates – there is no cost to register. You should also encourage your clients to report any suspicious activity to you so you can notify the department.

Information on scams and the process to report them is available at ‘Scamwatch’.

Reminder – Palliative Care Prognostic Tools survey

(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’s National Palliative Care Strategy 2018 prioritises the need for early planning and referral to palliative care for people affected by life-limiting illnesses.

The department is seeking information from all aged care providers to gain a better understanding of the use of palliative care prognostic (predictive) tools in aged care services.

The survey seeks to:

• determine the types of tools used by aged care services to identify patients nearing end of life who may have a need for advance care planning discussions and referral for palliative care
• determine the extent these tools are used within different settings
• explore the facilitators and barriers for using the tools.

The department encourages all aged care services to complete the survey by 30 October 2020.

If you have any questions about the survey, please email partneringwithconsumers@safetyandquality.gov.au

Reminder – access to Aged Care Online Claiming closing on 20 November

(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, Services Australia will be closing access to Aged Care Online Claiming and Aged Care Online Services by 20 November 2020.

The new Aged Care Provider Portal (ACPP) replaces both systems. Services still using the old portals should finalise their last claims for September and October 2020 and then start using the ACPP.

Users of existing business-to-government (B2G) software will need to get ACPP access to continue to check the status of submitted events and claims. This is in addition to any third party software you currently use.

Services Australia has published education materials covering how to access and use the ACPP. More materials will be published soon.

For more information, visit the Services Australia website.

Survey on training and resources to support culturally appropriate 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, the Centre for Cultural Diversity is a member of the PICAC Alliance (Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care). PICACs work across Australia promoting culturally inclusive practice. They support aged care providers through training, multilingual resources, practice guides, inclusive service standards and more.

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing is using a survey to explore what further training and resources government funded aged care providers need to support consumers and carers from culturally diverse backgrounds.

The survey takes five minutes and closes on Friday 23 October 2020. The results will help target the PICAC efforts towards meeting the needs of providers. This will in turn help address the needs of consumers and carers from culturally diverse backgrounds across the sector.

To find a PICAC provider in your state or territory, visit the PICAC Alliance website.

New brochures available

(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:

Community Visitors Scheme (CVS)

A new brochure has been developed to highlight the diversity of the CVS program and activities that can be enjoyed with a CVS friend.

The CVS has been providing friendship to isolated older Australians for nearly 30 years. The program matches a volunteer visitor with older people across Australia, currently supporting over 15,000 visitors each year. With social distancing measures in place, the program also provides phone and virtual visits.

The CVS is free to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or a Home Care Package. This also includes people who are approved and on the waiting list for these types of care.

Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line

A brochure is now available to explain the new, free, Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line. The support line is available on 1800 171 866 to provide information and support to older people across Australia, as well as a listening ear for those who need a chat.

If you know of an older person who needs to talk about how COVID-19 is affecting them, you can use the brochure to explain the phone line and how it may help them.

Access to brochures

You can access the brochures by:

• downloading from the My Aged Care website – CVS, Support Line
• ordering quantities from National Mailing & Marketing by emailing health@nationalmailing.com.au or phoning (02) 6269 1025.

The CVS brochure is currently being translated and will be available for download from the department’s website.

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Shadow and Trial

(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 Australian Government has announced its continued development of the possible replacement for the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI), the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC). A key preparatory step in the possible shift to a new system is to undertake independent care assessments for all new and existing permanent residential aged care recipients using the AN‑ACC assessment tool. This ‘shadow assessment’ process will commence in the first half of 2021.

The term shadow assessment reflects that the ACFI will continue to operate during this period and will be the mechanism through which funding assessments continue to be made. The AN-ACC shadow assessments will be occurring in parallel to ACFI assessments. There will be no changes to ACFI processes. The AN-ACC shadow assessment process will not impact on funding received by providers in relation to care recipients.

The Government will continue to consult with the sector on implementation matters before final decisions on the commencement of AN-ACC and an ongoing assessment workforce are finalised. For more information visit the department’s website.

Legislation

Guardianship and Administration Amendment (Advance Care Directives) Bill 2020 (TAS) – draft Bill

The Tasmanian Government is committed to providing opportunities for community involvement in the development of Government policy and are seeking input on the Guardianship and Administration Amendment (Advance Care Directives) Bill 2020 (the draft Bill).

Advance Care Directives are instructions about a person’s future decisions in relation to health care and treatment made by a person when they have decision making ability in anticipation of a time in the future when they do not have the ability to make those decisions due to illness or injury.

The draft Bill amends the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 to provide for the giving, recognition and implementation of Advance Care Directives.

All other Australian jurisdictions except New South Wales and Tasmania explicitly provide for Advance Care Directives in legislation. The draft Bill will amend the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 to provide for this purpose.

The Bill progresses the recommendations of Tasmanian Law Reform Institute (TLRI) which relate to ACDs in the TLRI Report on the “Review of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 (Tas)”. The Report endorsed aspects of the Advance Care Directives Act 2013 of South Australia, and that Act has also informed development of the Bill.

While ACDs were part of significant consultation by the TLRI, release of the draft Bill provides an opportunity to take into account any issues raised by stakeholders about how to give effect to the recommendations arising from the TLRI Report.

Resources and Upcoming Events

Assessing the Standards – new workshops 

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Commission has scheduled a new round of our “Assessing the Standards” online workshops, running throughout October. Through active participation in this online workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles that inform the Commission's approach to performance assessment
• Understand and describe how they and other staff contribute to the achievement of quality outcomes for consumers
• Use the self-assessment tool to gather and analyse information to evidence performance against the Quality Standards and/or identify opportunities for improvement
• Contribute effectively to their organisation’s continuous improvement systems

Visit our website to find out more about the workshops and to register.

LASA National Congress – online 12-23 October 2020

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, designed for any member of our industry – from managers to carers – this vital professional development opportunity will provide you with a full schedule of quality sessions.

Clinical Governance in Aged Care Conference – online 28 and 28 October 2020

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Clinical Governance in Aged Care conference is taking place on 28th & 29th October 2020 via live stream and will support you with the knowledge and practical insights to improve safety, accountability and compliance. You'll learn strategies to help you deliver improved outcomes as an aged care provider for your customers through the pandemic and beyond.

CaldWays Conference 2020 – 29-30 October 2020

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, it’s time to increase your cultural intelligence. Learn from leaders who have transformed their organisations to be genuinely inclusive of CALD communities, older people, Indigenous Australians, LGBTIQ+ and other groups that are too often misunderstood and ignored.

New Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Resources – issued June 2020

The ACQSC has issued the following resources:

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Glossary: The Commission has produced a glossary of common terms to aid understanding of the aged care services sector. The list is not intended to be exhaustive and is provided as general information only.

Common questions you may want to ask residential aged care services about COVID-19: You, your friends and family have a right to know how your residential aged care service is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed some common questions that you can ask your service provider during this time.

Service Compliance Ratings Fact Sheet: The Department of Health, in partnership with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission), is introducing a service compliance rating system for residential aged care services. The rating system was developed in consultation with stakeholders, including senior Australians, their caregivers, aged care providers, and a range of peak bodies.

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.

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.

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?