Aged care news highlights from the week ending 29 March 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

Changes to Aged Care Assessments 

(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, in the interests of supporting the health and safety of assessors and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, telephone and telehealth aged care assessments will be adopted as the default approach for community assessments by ACATs and RAS until further notice. Face to face assessments are still permitted where necessary to support the needs of the client. This will be reviewed as the situation evolves. All assessment organisations are also being asked to increase welfare checks with clients during this period.

New process for ordering PPE supplies for aged care sector

According to The Department of Health, aged care providers that require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must now email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au for all requests – please don’t approach Primary Health Networks. All requests will be triaged by the Department of Health with priority given to facilities, programs and workers where there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19. Requests can be made by aged care services and any workers providing support to people receiving aged care support living in the community.

New e-learning module for aged care workers now online

The Department of Health has released the first module in a new eLearning program aimed specifically for Aged Care workers on appropriate health management techniques in all aged care settings.

Three New E-Learning Modules Live

(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.)

Three new eLearning modules developed specifically for Aged Care workers are now online. These modules are:

Module 2: Families and Visitors

Module 3: COVID-19 and Aged Care

Module 4: Outbreak Management Procedures

COVID-19 infection control training

The Department of Health has issued this 30-minute online training module for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19.

Expansion of Coronavirus Testing Criteria

(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, to further protect vulnerable Australians, the Government has agreed to an AHPPC recommendation to expand the current coronavirus testing criteria to include testing of aged and residential care workers with fever or acute respiratory infection.

The testing criteria is set out in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Communicable Disease Network Australia guidelines for Public Health Units. As per the guidelines, aged or residential care workers who have a fever (≥38°C) or history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills) OR acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) must be tested.

Restrictions on Entry into Aged Care Facilities – Influenza Vaccinations

(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, all states and territories have released directions that set out specific requirements with regard to entry into and visitors to residential aged care facilities. These directions give effect within each jurisdiction to the decisions made by National Cabinet that were announced by the Prime Minister on 18 March 2020. The state and territory directions set out specific requirements in relation to influenza vaccinations. Specifically, the requirements set out that individuals must not enter or remain on the premises of a residential aged care facility if the person does not have an up-to-date (i.e. 2020) vaccination against influenza, if such a vaccination is available to the person. Residential aged care providers should work to have all staff vaccinated prior to 1 May 2020.

Dementia and COVID-19: New help sheets available

The Centre for Dementia Learning have developed help sheets that will help you achieve positive outcomes for people living with dementia. These fact sheets will help you reduce the impacts of social distancing. Visit the Dementia Australia website to find:

• coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
• hygiene tips
• ideas to remain active and engaged
• suggestions for continued engagement with families and carers

Health services and general practice - coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has issued a range of coronavirus (COVID-19) resources, information, plans and guides for health professionals.

PM announces further funding to be made available for aged care

According to Aged Care Insite, the Prime Minister has announced further funding measures to stem the tide of the coronavirus and protect the aged care sector. On Friday [20 March] Scott Morrison outlined a $445 million package that will include:

• $78.3 million in additional funding for residential care workers
• $26.9 million to supplement the viability of residential aged care facilities and homeless providers
• $92 million for home care providers and organisations such as meals on wheels
• $12.3 million to support other aged care services

This package is on top of the $100 million pledged the previous week to support the aged care workforce.

Almost 6 in 10 aged care homes reporting a loss

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the number of loss-making aged care facilities continues to rise and is expected to worsen due to the coronavirus pandemic, an industry expert tells Australian Ageing Agenda. Accounting and benchmarking firm StewartBrown report released this week shows that 56 per cent of aged care homes recorded an operating loss (negative earnings before tax) and 29 per cent reported a cash loss (negative earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation and rent) for the six months ending December 2019. This is up from 51 per cent and 27 per cent respectively for the quarter ending September 2019 and 42 per cent and 21 per cent respectively for the six months ending December 2018.

Royal Commission statement on COVID-19

The Chair of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Hon G T Pagone QC, calls upon all in the Australian community, including the Australian Government and aged care providers, to be vigilant about the many and varied impacts of, and responses to, COVID19. The pandemic affects the entire country but affects each of us differently. The aged in our community are amongst the most vulnerable and are affected both by the potential to be infected with the virus as well as by the unintended consequences of the otherwise understandable and reasonable steps which have been taken to ensure for their safety.

Royal Commission Suspends Hearings and Extends Deadline for Public Submissions

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has suspended all hearings and workshops for the time being, subject to ongoing review. This decision is a consequence of the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and based on information available from the Australian Government and affects all hearings and workshops scheduled until at least the end of May 2020. The public submissions deadline has been extended to 30 June 2020.

CHSP providers ordered to suspend group activities

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, there are new restrictions on non-essential gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups. From 23 March 2020, all non-essential gatherings are suspended for four weeks. If you provide Social Support Groups and group activities, you should suspend them for four weeks. You can continue to support clients by re-directing their funds to other non-face-to-face activities and support services. Please communicate any change to clients and their carers and families as soon as possible.

Queensland students Skype with residents after regular visits cancelled

According to Aged Care Insite, Brisbane high schools students have set up weekly Skype calls with residents to counter the loneliness those unable to have visitors may feel. Due to the spread of COVID-19, students at Bray Park High School knew they couldn’t keep up their regular visits with residents at Wesley Mission Queensland’s aged care community Anam Cara, but didn’t want to lose touch.

More coronavirus cases in aged care, Spanish nursing homes abandoned, residents found dead

According to Aged Care Insite, ten aged care residents and seven staff have tested positive to coronavirus across six different homes in NSW, Western Australia and South Australia. Federal Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck revealed the tally in Senate question time on Monday. This is on top of the outbreak at a Sydney aged care facility earlier this month, which saw 11 residents quarantined, three of whom later died. “I can’t give you a specific number of how many aged care workers have been tested or for that matter how many residents have been tested,” he told parliament. “Those that have needed a test have received a test.” He said people needed to limit their visits to aged care homes.

Other News

Unplanned resident weight loss on the rise

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, almost 3,000 more aged care residents recorded significant unplanned weight loss last quarter than in the previous period, the latest aged care quality indicators report shows. In the October-December 2019 quarter, 14,733 residents experienced significant unplanned weight loss, which is a loss of three or more kilograms in the period. And 15,398 residents recorded consecutive unplanned weight loss, which is a loss of any amount every month over the three consecutive months. This is up from 11,803 and 12,177 residents experiencing significant and consecutive unplanned weight loss respectively in the July-September 2019 quarter.

Industry experts raise concerns over aged care research centre

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, aged care service delivery methodology and issues with current research practices need to be addressed before establishing a government-funded dedicated ageing research centre, industry experts tell the royal commission. The second day of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s hearing in Adelaide last week heard evidence from stakeholders about translating aged care research into practice. Senior Counsel Assisting Peter Rozen asked the expert panel whether Australia’s aged care sector needed a government-funded centre for ageing research, innovation and translational research, which the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce proposed in June 2018.

Legislation

COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (NSW) – commenced 25.03.20

An Act to amend a number of Acts to implement emergency measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Australian Public Health Act 2011 - Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions (SA) – commenced 23.03.20

The direction prohibits a person from entering or remaining on, the premises of a residential aged care facility in the State of South Australia unless

(a) the person is an employee or contractor of the residential aged care facility; or

(b) the person’s presence at the premises is for the purposes of providing goods or services that are necessary for the effective operation of the residential aged care facility, whether the goods or services are provided for consideration or on a voluntary basis; or

(c) the person’s presence at the premises is for the purposes of providing health, medical or pharmaceutical services to a resident of the residential aged care facility, whether the goods or services are provided for consideration or on a voluntary basis; or

(d) the person’s presence at the premises is for the purposes of a care and support visit to a resident of the residential aged care facility on a particular day, and is the only care and support visit made to the resident on that day; or

(e) the person’s presence at the premises is for the purposes of end of life support for a resident of the residential aged care facility; or

(f) the person’s presence at the premises is required for the purposes of emergency management or law enforcement; or

(g) the person’s presence at the premises is in the person’s capacity as a prospective resident of the residential aged care facility.

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.

Medication Management in Home Care – Webinar - Tue., 31 March 2020, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm AEDT

Lorraine Poulos and associates are hosting al Medication Management Webinar will provide you with information and guidance about the principles for medication management in the community and will include Craig Harris from Webstercare who is an expert in Medication Management in Aged Care. We will provide an overview about what is contemporary practice in medication management in the home.

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.

NATSIFAC Program Bi-Annual One-off Grant Opportunity – Second Approach now open

According to The Department of Health, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program 2019-2020 Bi-Annual One-off Grant Opportunity – Second Approach is a targeted, competitive application process. NATSIFAC Program service providers can apply for grant funding to address a clearly identified need that supports the delivery of aged care services. Service providers in remote and very remote Australia (geographical locations defined as Modified Monash Model 6 and 7) will be prioritised. The Grant Opportunity opened on Thursday 16 January 2020. All applications must be received by the department by 2:00pm, Thursday 12 March 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.

2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997

According to the Department of Health, the 2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 is now available from the GEN Aged Care Data website. The report details the operation of Australia’s aged care system during the 2018–19 financial year and provides a snapshot of the system as a whole. It is delivered to Parliament each year by the Minister in accordance with section 63-2 of the Aged Care Act 1997.

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.