Aged care news highlights from the week ending 28 July 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.
Royal Commission: our sixth background paper has been released
According to the Aged Care Royal Commission, family and friends who provide informal and unpaid care to older Australians are critical to the sustainability of the aged care system, and as the population in Australia continues to age, the reliance on informal carers is set to increase. Background Paper 6: Carers of older Australians, released by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety today, explores the roles, challenges, and needs, of informal carers of older Australians. It also addresses services and supports to assist carers in their caring role. The paper states that increasingly, older people in Australia are choosing to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible. A consequence of this has been an increasing reliance on family and friends to supplement formal home support services.
Hire pharmacists for aged care facilities: royal commission submission
According to Aged Care Insite, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is calling for a national program that would see pharmacists embedded in aged care facilities. A report by PSA shows that 98 per cent of aged care residents have at least one medicine-related incident and 50 per cent are taking one inappropriate medicine. The PSA national president Dr Chris Freeman argues that regular access to pharmacists, for residents and clinicians, will help tackle medical mismanagement and related harm.
Guide shows what quality dementia care looks like
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Dementia Australia has developed consumer-informed advice on quality aged care for people with dementia, their families and carers to complement the sector’s standards. The 12-page report Our Solution: Quality Care for people living with dementia makes a series of recommendations in the context of each of the eight Aged Care Quality Standards. The advice, which was presented to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck today, forms part of the peak’s three-stage initiative to develop a baseline and gold standard for dementia care linked to the standards.
Device shows promise for preventing pressure sores
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, a purpose-designed positioning device has proven more effective at keeping residents in a good sleeping position than standard pillows, the results of a Melbourne University study show. The study published in the International Wiley Journal in July compared the effectiveness of a fluidised positioner, which is a purpose-designed device filled with a viscous fluid mix that conforms to and supports the body during positioning, and the standard care pillow, in keeping residents in a 30-degree side-lying lateral tilt position.
NSAIDs overused and putting residents at risk
According to Aged Care Insite, researchers have found that NSAIDs, such as common Ibuprofen, are being overused in aged care, putting residents at risk. The study – which looked at over 10 thousand residents during a three-year period – also found that the “triple whammy use” of oral NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors and diuretics, while rare, carries increased risk of acute kidney injury. Co-author of the research Kim Lind said pain and arthritis-related pain are the most common reasons for oral NSAID usage, and as they are often available over the counter these drugs are seen as unlikely to be dangerous.
Aged care respite shouldn’t be bottom of the heap: peak
According to Aged Care Insite, aged care respite is increasingly being used as a ‘try before you buy’ service, limiting access for elderly Australians whose family carers need a break. Advocacy group Carers Australia wants the federal government to fix a serious shortage of respite accommodation so informal carers can take short breaks, arguing it should not wait for the aged care royal commission’s report. Its national policy manager, Sue Elderton, said respite ended up at the “bottom of the heap” amid the many pressing issues in aged care, despite carers being hailed as unsung heroes.
Legislation
The Aged Care Amendment (Movement of Provisionally Allocated Places) Bill 2019 was introduced on 13 February 2019, lapsed on 1 July 2019 and was re-introduced on 24 July 2019. The Bill aimed to amend the Aged Care Act 1997 to allow the Secretary of the Department of Health (or her delegates) to allow approved providers of residential aged care to move provisionally allocated residential aged care places from one region to another, within a state or territory.
The Medicines and Poisons Bill 2019 (Qld) was introduced to Parliament on 14 May 2019 and referred to Committee on 22 July 2019. The Bill aims to repeal and replace the existing legislation with a new simplified and uniform regulatory framework comprising the Medicines and Poisons Bill, Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation (Medicines Regulation) and Medicines and Poisons (Pest Management, Poisons and Other Regulated Substances) Regulation (Poisons Regulation).
Resources and Upcoming Conferences
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.
Royal Commission into Aged Care – Community Forum – 12 August 2019, Adelaide
According to the Royal Commission into Aged Care, a community forum will be held in Adelaide. Commissioner, The Honourable Richard Tracey AM RFD QC will attend.
Location: Adelaide Town Hall, Auditorium, 128 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Date: Monday, 12 August 2019
Time: 1:30pm to 4:00pm
There will be a chance to give written feedback to the Commission and to talk to Commission staff. A limited number of people will be able to give a brief statement. If you would like to do so please let us know when you register. Guidelines will be provided to all registered speakers.
Quality in Aged Care National Conference – 26-29 August 2019, Sydney
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Quality in Aged Care Conference running in Sydney from the 26th – 29th August is once again brought to you in partnership with COTA Australia and ACSA. Following a gathering of over 200 leaders at the previous in March 2019, this next conference offers insights into the next chapter of aged care reform. It is a critical opportunity for all providers of aged care services to learn from industry leaders, peak bodies and legislators and prepare their organisations for some of the biggest challenges facing the industry, including the Royal Commission and the new standards.
Living and Ageing Well Conference – 17 September 2019, Grand Hyatt Melbourne
According to Pearson Clinical Assessment, the overarching goal of clinical intervention when working with older people, regardless of diagnosis, is to improve the person’s quality of life. Whether you work with older adults in their own home and community, in a hospital, outpatient setting or in a residential aged care facility, there are strategies you could be using in your interventions to further enhance your clients’ quality of life. At this conference, we’ll share valuable insights and strategies from industry experts. And we’ll workshop tools designed to help you apply holistic care to older adults with a range of diagnoses, across many settings, with a goal of improving the quality of life for older adults.
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.
.png)
