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.
Providers call on re-elected government to take action
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, aged care stakeholders have congratulated the re-elected Morrison government but reiterated calls for a Cabinet position for the sector’s minister and urgent action on key issues. During the election campaign the Prime Minister committed to $34 million to establish an Aged Care Workforce Research Centre, $10 million to address loneliness among seniors and $10 million to create a dedicated network of Aged Care System Navigators to assist seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. However, the Coalition made no promises in relation to the big issues, such as residential aged care funding or the home care queue, despite the campaigning from aged care stakeholders who have been left feeling let down. Aged care peak body Leading Age Services Australia CEO Sean Rooney congratulated the Prime Minister on the Coalition’s win and called on him to honour his commitment to build a culture of respect for seniors.
Who is Richard Colbeck, new Minister for Aged Care?
Aged Care Insite reports that with the departure of Ken Wyatt from the aged care space, the new Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care is Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck. A former carpenter and small business owner in the construction industry prior to entering politics, Colbeck has been a Liberal politician since his first election as a senator in 2002. Colbeck will have a full plate in his new position, combining his aged care portfolio with that of youth, as well as picking up the sport portfolio from Bridget McKenzie. Dr Sarah Russell, director and principal researcher at Research Matters and director of Aged Care Matters, said she believes that this decision leaves the aged care portfolio without the attention it needs. However, Colbeck disagrees and looks at his new portfolio troika as a positive development. “I am delighted that Youth and Sport have also been included in my responsibilities, because it acknowledges that age should not divide our community – rather, as families and as a nation we can be brought together as we meet life’s many challenges and opportunities,” he told Aged Care Insite.
Proposal for a new residential aged care funding model
In a Department of Health media release, the Australian Government has called for submissions and feedback regarding a new study into aged care funding. The Australian Government is the major funder of residential aged care in Australia. Since 2017 the Australian Government has been examining options for a new funding tool and system to replace the current Aged Care Funding Instrument. The Department of Health commissioned the University of Wollongong to undertake the Resource Utilisation and Classification Study, to identify and measure the drivers of resource utilisation in residential aged care and to develop a new funding model for consideration by Government. To make a submission, follow the instructions in the department’s media release.
Family-owned aged care companies criticised for 'aggressive tax minimisation'
According to The Guardian, some of the biggest family-owned aged care companies in Australia have been accused of using complex corporate structures to minimise their tax bill. A new report from the Tax Justice Network Australia and the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability & Research has been submitted to the Aged Care Royal Commission. It highlights concerns about “aggressive tax minimisation strategies”. The report examines TriCare, Arcare, Aegis, McKenzie, Hall & Prior, and Thompson. The report praises Thompson, saying it appears to demonstrate that a private family-owned aged care company can make a decent profit and pay its fair share of tax. But the other businesses were strongly criticised. The report urges the Federal Government to mandate that aged care businesses receiving more than $10m a year in taxpayer funding should file company accounts that are publicly accessible.
Students to live in aged-care home in uni housing trial
According to The Brisbane Times, the University of the Sunshine Coast is trialling a scheme that will see University students living in an aged-care facility. The first of its kind in Australia, the scheme would bring six nursing students to live in the decommissioned wing of the Cooinda Aged Care Centre, which has perfectly liveable facilities but is no longer up to aged-care standards. The students would be on significantly reduced rent, and as a trade-off would be expected to do volunteer work with the aged care residents. Cooinda chief executive Robyn Kross, who has a background in nursing, said she was excited about the potential outcomes of the trial program. “For our residents, it’s that socialisation aspect that will add another element to their lifestyle and maybe take their mind off aches and pains or age-related loneliness.”
Aged care workers worry new Government-driven quality standards could worsen working conditions
According to ABC News, aged care workers say new standards designed to improve the quality of living for the elderly will put untenable pressure on already understaffed facilities. Wollongong aged care worker “Jessica” said she no longer has leisure time because she needs to reserve her energy for upcoming shifts. She works 16-hour days several times a fortnight and often stays back once she has finished work to help relieve staff pressure. "We are worked to our capacity," she said. According to the Health Services Union, understaffing is the number one issue for aged care workers. As the Aged Care Royal Commission continues its investigations, Health Services Union Aged Care manager Rob Sheehy said it was an important time to shine a light on these underlying problems. The Union hoped this investigation would encourage the Government to make aged care legislation and funding a priority.
Nurses are being blamed for aged care plight, survey shows
According to Health Times, while increased publicity surrounding the plight of the aged care industry is raising awareness of the issue, a recent survey shows nurses are being blamed at a societal level, adding to their already high levels of stresses. The survey, conducted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, was a follow up to similar research which took place in 2016, and shows that the situation is getting worse, not better. According to ANFM Secretary Annie Buttler, “Almost 90% of participants reported that staffing was inadequate at their facilities, an increase from 79% in 2016. 1,937 participants gave us detailed stories of the staffing inadequacies and the resulting missed care that was occurring at their facilities, including missed wound care and pain management, and even of residents missing out on being fed or toileted and just parked in front of TVs.” Ms Buttler says if the problems are not urgently addressed, nurses will continue to leave the sector.
Call for strategies for dementia-friendly communities
According to Community Care Review, an urban think tank says Sydney is woefully unprepared to meet the needs of its ageing population and urges local authorities to start developing dementia strategies in response to the projected increase in the number of people living with the condition. The Committee for Sydney report, released on Thursday, says the number of NSW residents living with dementia is expected to hit 300,000 by 2050, while in Victoria the figure will be around 195,500. As a nation, Australia will be pushing one million. Local councils need to begin working on strategies to help manage the coming demographic shift in ways that are tailored to their local urban environment, the report, titled “Dignity and Choice: An inclusive future for our ageing population” says.
Taking a broad-brush look at palliative care
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Australian experts have contributed to a new book that takes a broad-brush view of palliative care as a science, clinical practice and art. HammondCare Clinical Consultant Professor Rod MacLeod is one of two international editors-in-chief for the Textbook of Palliative Care, which will be launched at the European Association of Palliative Care World Congress in Berlin on Friday. “We have endeavoured to produce a textbook that showcases the multi and interdisciplinarity of palliative care and is unique in bringing together authors from all fields of palliative care – physical, psychological, social, and existential or spiritual,” Prof MacLeod says. The Textbook covers pain management and other key areas like advance care planning, as well as creative art and food across 101 Chapters.
How to better enable end-of-life care choices
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, to enable everyone to have access to information to support quality end of life and palliative care the Commonwealth Government has funded palliAGED. PalliAGED provides free online evidence-based information, guidance, tools and resources to assist professionals and consumers. As an illness progresses a person may require more care as their symptoms or circumstances change and often need to reassess and reprioritise their goals to meet the changing nature of a disease progression. PalliAGED has a section on symptoms and medicines and an evidence and complementary practice centre to enable people to practically apply evidence having the key information on what they can do, what they can learn and what their service can do. The palliAGED Apps are also available to help deliver advanced care planning, treatment and prescribing advice at the point of care.
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