Aged care news highlights from the week ending 26 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

Online workforce hub links employers with staff

According to Community Care Review, Aged and Community Services Australia has launched a new aged care services platform designed to boost the workforce and support aged care organisations during COVID-19. The Aged Care Services Workforce Hub will help providers attract, hire and develop their aged care workforce, CEO Pat Sparrow says. It aims to act as a hub for providers, workers, training organisations, government, employment service providers and the community and offers employment opportunities as well as events, training, career information and resources for aged care providers. Employers with positions to fill can register on the hub and then search by job role for people who are looking for employment in their region.

Govt baulks at providers’ cry for help

According to Community Care Review, aged care minister Richard Colbeck has moved to assure providers they haven’t been forgotten in the COVID-19 crisis, but has stopped short of supporting calls from the sector for additional funding. Aged care providers this month presented a $1.3 billion COVID-19 rescue package to the federal government, including a proposal for $250 million in support for home care calculated on the provision of an extra $10 a day per client to meet increased direct care costs. Senator Colbeck has told Australian Ageing Agenda the Federal Government will continue to work closely with aged care stakeholders. He reiterated the $545 million aged care funding measures announced in March to support the workforce and providers during COVID-19 and the surge workforce measures and support for remote providers announced over the weekend. But he did not commit to providing what the aged care sector is calling for in its proposal.

Recommendations on Visitations

(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, infection prevention and control measures in residential aged care must be balanced with the well being and best interests of the residents. It is acknowledged that this balance is sometimes challenging to achieve. Aged care providers should assess the needs of both residents and their families, and be proportionate in their response to and application of the restrictions.

At its meeting on Tuesday (21 April), the National Cabinet discussed residential aged care facility (RACF) visitation restrictions and reaffirmed the visitation principles set out by the AHPPC and agreed by National Cabinet on March 18. The AHPPC also reinforced restricting visits and visitors that should be implemented by RACFs.

The National Cabinet reconfirmed that RACFs should not permit visitors and staff to enter facilities, if they have:

• returned from overseas in the last 14 days
• been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• a fever or any (even mild) symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath)
• not been vaccinated against influenza (after 1 May).

Measures such as phone or video calls must be accessible to all residents to enable more regular communication with family members. Family and friends should be encouraged to maintain contact with residents by phone and other social communication apps, as appropriate.

The AHPPC recommendations also state any staff with symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath) should be excluded from the workplace and tested for COVID-19. Staff must report their symptoms to the RACF. Sick leave policies must also enable employees to stay home, if they have symptoms of respiratory infection.

At the Press Conference on Tuesday (21 April), the Prime Minister noted that further restrictions may be placed on visitor access in exceptional circumstances, such a facility experiencing an outbreak or an outbreak in the area in which the facility is located.

Aged care coronavirus restrictions do not mean no visitors, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says

According to ABC News, the Prime Minister has issued a "strong reminder" to aged care providers not to impose harsher visitor rules than those recommended by health experts. Speaking after the meeting of National Cabinet on Tuesday, Scott Morrison said the issue of visitors being banned was considered by the group of state and territory leaders. "We are very concerned about the impact of restrictions that had been put in place in aged care facilities over and above what was recommended by the National Cabinet," he said.

Anger over PM’s aged care visitor comments

According to Aged Care Insite, the Prime Minister’s implied criticism of providers who have taken more precautionary measures to protect residents and save lives has caused alarm and anger among the care sector. “The reality is that if providers in COVID-19 hotspots like Sydney and elsewhere had not gone beyond the official guidance when it was first issued there would likely have been many more outbreaks with dire consequences for the safety of residents and staff,” LASA CEO Sean Rooney said. Noting the loss of life across aged care facilities, Rooney said the sector is still to be commended for the low rates of infection experienced by residents and staff to date. He added that providers were acutely aware of the stress and pressure visitor restrictions place on residents, families and staff. “Decisions to implement these measures are not taken lightly and are in place with the specific intent to save lives.”

ASQSC – Staff and Visitor Entry Screening

(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 Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's Chief Clinical Advisor has written to residential aged care services providers on the subject of screening people entering residential aged care facilities.

Routine screening of staff and visitors on entry is strongly recommended for all residential services irrespective of size or location. It is especially important for residential services located in communities (and/or drawing their staff from communities) where there is a local cluster of people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, or which are considered to be at higher risk of an outbreak. The Commissions screening recommendations for all RACFs include

• single point of entry
• screening questions for staff and visitors
• temperature checks

New ACQSC Resource: supporting safe, quality care for aged care consumers during visitor restrictions relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), has issued a new resource that provides suggestions about actions that residential aged care services can take to meet the needs of individual consumers and deliver quality care while the visitor restrictions are in place.

New survey rolled out to aged care home services

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) is currently contacting all approved providers of aged care home services by email to undertake an online self-assessment survey to monitor and support them in their preparation for a COVID-19 outbreak. The survey is due to be submitted by close of business Wednesday 29th April 2020.

Free COVID-19 Support Line for Senior Australians

(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, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians and Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator The Hon Richard Colbeck, today released advice about further support for Senior Australians who are feeling isolated.

Senior Australians, their families and carers can now call a dedicated free call support line aimed at supporting the mental health of those impacted by the spread of COVID-19. The Minister said talking to someone who understands and listens was an important outlet for anybody struggling to cope as the spread of the virus creates additional pressure on individuals and communities.

The support line will operate Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm.

Call the COVID-19 support line on 1800 171 866.

Guide shows providers how to continue spiritual care

According to Community Care Review, spiritual care and ageing peak body Meaningful Ageing Australia has released advice on how aged care services can continue to provide spiritual care during the coronavirus pandemic. The one-page information sheet titled Spiritual Care During COVID-19 provides aged care services with ideas to keep spiritual care at the forefront alongside clinical care. The advice which draws on examples from MAA members, highlights the importance of spiritual care, especially in times of crisis.

Aged care providers to receive help with flu shots

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Primary Health Networks will contact all residential aged care facilities in their region to assist with flu vaccinations, the government has announced. The program announced by Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck on Friday aims to ensure all residents and facility staff receive the influenza vaccination as soon as possible. As part of COVID-19 related requirements announced last month, all staff, visitors, health practitioners and volunteers wishing to enter aged care facilities should be vaccinated against the flu by 1 May.

Providers told to jump on business grants

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Federal Government’s initiative to assist facilities at risk of failure has created confusion and challenges for aged care providers, says an industry executive. The $50 million Business Improvement Fund announced by Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck on 31 January aims to support residential aged care providers at risk of service failure. It allows providers to apply for short-term grants to improve business operations, support the sale of a facility to another provider, or close the home. The applications, which opened earlier this month, have caused confusion among aged care providers about eligibility and the different funding options available, says Rob Covino, co-founder of aged care consultancy and technology provider Mirus Australia.

Disaster strategies for the aged-care sector

According to Hospital and Healthcare, a recent forum held at the Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Tri-State Conference provided an opportunity for aged-care stakeholders to share tips on emergency preparation. Following Australia’s unprecedented bushfire season, aged-care providers need to ensure appropriate measures are in place, including evacuation plans, flexibility for staff and understanding what is covered under their insurance policies.

Other News

Fall-detection tech gets smart

According to Hospital and Healthcare, a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that more than 100,000 people aged over 65 were hospitalised due to a fall in 2016–17, with injuries to the hip and thigh (22%) and head (26%) being the most common fall-related injuries. The Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society has outlined that falls represent a major health issue, with the incidence and cost to the health system set to increase as the population ages. To help address this problem, an Australian company has created an artificial intelligence (AI) device that can detect if someone suffers a fall in the home, hospital or aged-care facility.

Legislation

Nothing in the news this week.

Resources and Upcoming Events

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 (Live Stream Online)

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.

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?