Aged care news highlights from the week ending 29 September 2019.

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.

Nurses and doctors unite to call out government on aged care

According to Aged Care Insite, nurses and doctors have joined forces, calling on the government to act now on the “crisis” in aged care. The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF) and Australian Medical Association (AMA) have released a statement urging action now, rather than waiting for the conclusion of the royal commission in 2020. “The government cannot stand by and watch aged care providers continue to provide poor quality care because they are deemed ‘too big to fail’,” said AMA president Dr Tony Bartone. “The aged care system urgently needs a safe and quality skills mix of medical, nursing and care staff. The increased presence of doctors as part of the care team is vital. The government must act now.”

Sector Performance Data for 1 April to 30 June 2019

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released performance information for the aged care section in the period 1 April to 30 June 2019. The data includes statistics about these types of services: residential aged care; home services; and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program. The performance information includes data from the Commission's aged care quality regulatory and complaints functions.

How do we control infections in aged care?

According to Aged Care Insite, each year we are hearing more stories of large influenza outbreaks at aged care homes, often killing multiple people. This year is set to be a record-breaking one for influenza: the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System has reported that at present the number of deaths this year related to flu stands at 662, with an average age of 86 years. In this podcast, Aged Care Insite speaks with infectious diseases physician and microbiologist Dr Paul Griffin form the University of Queensland about what we can do to prevent infections in aged care.

Stop underpaying aged care workers: nurse

In this podcast, Aged Care Insite speaks with Gay Taylor, an RN with six years’ experience working in aged care, on some of the reasons why aged care workers are underpaid, including the marketisation of the sector and perceptions among staff that fighting for better wages is greedy or uncaring.

Bad luck, witchcraft, God’s will? Dementia survey reveals global views

According to Aged Care Insite, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) released the results of the world’s largest dementia study last week and revealed that most people think dementia is a normal part of ageing. The survey canvassed 70,000 people over 155 countries and highlighted a global lack of knowledge about dementia. The survey found that 62 per cent of healthcare practitioners still think it is a normal part of ageing, rather than a neurodegenerative disorder. More concerning was the statistic that 48 per cent of respondents believe that memory will never improve for a person with dementia, even with medical support, while one in four people think there is no way of preventing dementia. Ten per cent of respondents said that dementia is God’s will, while 2 per cent believe it is attributable to witchcraft. One in five people surveyed believe that being diagnosed with dementia is just bad luck.

New guidelines to help GPs spruik dementia prevention

According to Aged Care Insite, Aussie researchers hope getting new prevention guidelines into the hands of GPs will help reduce rates of dementia. Professor Kaarin Anstey, a senior principal researcher at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW, said GPs are well positioned to play a significant role in dementia risk reduction. “GPs see people with multiple risk factors and, by using these new recommendations, can ensure patients receive the earliest possible care and advice to reduce their risk of cognitive decline and dementia,” Anstey said. The guidelines cover risk factors like alcohol consumption, smoking, cognitive engagement, medication and obesity.

Dementia on track to become leading cause of death

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, dementia remains the second leading cause of death in Australia and is likely to take the number one spot in coming years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ new report on causes of death shows. Dementia also remains the leading cause of death for females in Australia while ischaemic heart disease remains the leading cause of death for males and overall, according to the ABS’s Causes of Death, Australia 2018 report released on Wednesday.

Are you using the CALD Action Plan?

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, of the 3.7 million Australians aged 65 and over, 1 out of 3 were born in a non-English speaking country. Culturally and linguistically diverse Australians have over 270 ancestries and 300 languages. It is important that aged care service providers of home care packages and residential care facilities understand the challenges and inherent difficulties faced by consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. They need to actively work towards the provision of culturally inclusive care and supports.

Report shows providers still ‘immature’ marketers

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a quarter of four metro-dwelling Australians are unaware of the name of the aged care provider their relative uses, indicating a lack of focus on brand positioning and building in the industry, according to a new report. The Inside Aged Care 2019 report released last week found almost a third of the 1,547 participants from metropolitan WA, NSW, VIC, SA and QLD had a parent or close family member receiving aged care (32 per cent). It found that one in four of this cohort don’t know the aged care provider’s name their relative uses while many others reported a property name rather than a brand.

Free rent and meals offered by nursing home to students in companionship program

According to ABC News, for just 30 hours of volunteered conversation and friendship each month, four allied health students from the University of Sydney receive free accommodation and meals at an aged care home. The intergenerational living program began in 2018 in an effort by the nursing home to improve the isolation and depression faced by many ageing Australians. "People in aged care can suffer from depression, and the engagement that the students have with the residents — I've seen a change in some of them," said Tracey Gill, who is in charge of wellbeing at the facility.

Legislation

Nothing in the news this week.

Resources and Upcoming Conferences

New spiritual guide for community providers

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the latest resource from Meaningful Ageing Australia provides information for community aged care providers on how to introduce a spiritual care program for their clients. The guidebook, titled The Space Between: Implementing spiritual care in community aged care, is based on an award-winning program run by Catholic Healthcare over the past decade.

New Aged Care Means Assessment Forms

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.

Uploading Data Collection Template: Quick Reference Guide for CHSP providers

The My Aged Care Provider Portal will open from 22 July until 11.59pm AEST 23 October 2019 for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers to upload the grandfathered client data collection template. The Department of Health has released a Quick Reference Guide that explains how to upload the data collection template into the My Aged Care Provider Portal and select the services each client receives.

Standard 8 Organisational Governance Masterclass – various locations across NSW, ACT and QLD in September and October 2019

Australian Ageing Agenda invites you to join your fellow directors, chief executive officers, executives & mangers to enhance your understanding of the Consumer Outcome, Organisation Statement and Requirements of Standard 8 and the practical steps and activities you should take.

Managing Dignity of Risk Challenges in Residential Aged Care WORKSHOP – various locations across Vic and NSW in October and November 2019

According to The Communiques, this essential workshop is designed for executives, senior managers, clinicians and relevant personnel to provide a systematic approach to examining the issues of how to manage risks for older residents living in residential aged care facilities. Balancing staff and organizational responsibilities of duty of care with the residents’ rights and choice in Dignity of Risk. For more information, including times and locations of workshops, follow the link above and download the full program.

ACSA National Summit – 8-10 October 2019, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) is hosting the 2019 ACSA National Summit, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), 8–10 October 2019. The 2019 ACSA National Summit will bring together thought leaders and innovators – both local and international – to discuss hot topics, challenges and opportunities, workshopping together to uncover solutions to some of the aged care industry’s biggest challenges.

In Conversation with Professor Mary Marshall – Perth 22 October 2019; Sydney 31 October 2019

The Dementia Centre is hosting “In Conversation with Professor Mary Marshall”. Mary Marshall, Emeritus Professor, OBE, is an international leader in the design of environments for people living with dementia, and social care. Topics covered:

• Mary Marshall's interest and career in dementia, where this started
• why design was so important in her work
• what has changed since she began in dementia design and social care
• what needs to change
• a Q & A with the audience opportunity.

LASA National Congress – 27-29 October 2019, Adelaide

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the LASA National Congress will offer global perspectives, best-practice keynotes, and interactive, thought-provoking discussions, designed to empower our industry to actively embrace future opportunities and become the change we want to see. This year’s theme is: Better Ageing Futures for All Australians.

National Conference on the Future of Aged Care: Beyond the Interim Report of the Royal Commission – 19-21 November 2019, Melbourne

According to Criterion Conferences, this national conference will be the first opportunity to critically unpack and explore the Royal Commission’s Interim Report, with strategic insights from key industry leaders and experts.

Strengthening the Aged Care Workforce – 3-5 December 2019, Melbourne

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, after two successful events in Sydney, the Strengthening the Aged Care Workforce conference will be taking place on the 3rd - 5th December 2019 in Melbourne for the first time. Designed in partnership with COTA Australia & ACSA, this conference will bring together industry leaders to discuss how service providers can train, support and guide their workforce through the changes taking place in this sector.