Release date:
Star Ratings: Provider Preview Warning
Updated star ratings will be posted on My Aged Care for all inpatient aged care services beginning in April.
The updated ratings are based on the most recent reporting quarter for the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI program) and Quarterly Financial Report (QFR).
Providers have the ability to preview star ratings for all residential aged care services prior to publication. All Org Admins who have been nominated by Vendors in My Aged Care will receive an email with instructions on how to access the star rating preview.
Star rating previews are intended to help you prepare for final publication on My Aged Care.
If you need assistance updating your organization administrator information, please contact the My Aged Care Service Provider and Assessor Helpline at 1800.836.799.
For more information on star ratings and access the latest resources, visit the department’s star ratings website.
New resources to support palliative care in elderly care
palliAGED has developed a new range of resource packs for those working in home care and residential aged care. They comprise a range of forms and checklists designed to help aged caregivers provide quality care at the end of life.
The packages can also be used for training purposes together with the palliAGED practice tip sheets for nurses and nurses in geriatric care. These cover 42 topics on what you need to know and what you can do to provide best practice palliative care.
Check them out below and order your free hard copy from the palliAGED website:
Equip free learning packs for elderly care
Free online learning modules to support aged care workers are now available through the University of Tasmania.
The Department-funded Equip Aged Care learning packs cover 14 elder care topics. The modules are aimed at direct carers, volunteers, carers and anyone interested in improving the care of older people.
The first 9 learning modules are available now and provide an overview of:
- the Australian aged care system
- the role of nurses, caregivers and allied health professionals working in the care of the elderly
- the quality standards of elderly care
- Palliative and terminal care
- person-centered care
- support for people with dementia
- Promotion of mental health and well-being
- fall prevention
- Wound Management and Pressure Ulcers.
Register for these modules at Equip Aged Care Learning (utas.edu.au).
For further inquiries please email equip.learning@utas.edu.au
Surveys for caregivers and home care providers
HealthConsult is conducting two surveys on behalf of the department to better understand home care staff.
Following the surveys conducted in April 2022, these will contribute to the ongoing assessment of the Home Care Workforce Support Program (HCWSP) and future workforce initiatives.
The HCWSP provides support to employers in developing the home care workforce through 6 organizations or consortia.
The surveys aim to identify:
- composition of the workforce
- jobs are executed
- skills and qualifications
- work preferences.
We are interested in answers from:
- Home Care Providers
- Caregivers, Registered Nurses and Allied Health Assistants.
The polls opened on March 3rd and will end on Friday March 31st.
Fill out the survey for home care Offerer OR fill out the survey for personal caregivers.
Poll: Talking about racism and discrimination in elderly care
The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Aged Care (PICAC) Alliance invites aged care workers to complete a survey on their experiences of racism and/or discrimination in the workplace.
The PICAC Alliance will use the findings to create a new resource of information and strategies for providers to eliminate racism and discrimination and promote cultural safety in aged care.
The survey takes about 10-15 minutes and is anonymous.
People from all backgrounds working in residential or home care are encouraged to get involved.
The poll ends on March 31.
Second round of payments for registered nurses in aged care
Registered Nurse Aged Care Payment rewards clinical ability and leadership.
Payments up to $6,000 are available for registered nurses.
This funding round closed on February 28, 2023.
Employers are reminded that a second round of payments is planned for registered nurses who:
- work for a government funded aged care provider; And
- work for the entirety of one of the following funding periods:
- November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023.
- May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023.
We encourage you to consider these payments as part of your recruitment processes.
You can find more information on geriatric care allowance on the department’s website.
Webinar: Swallowing, Texture Modified Diets and Nutrition
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission invites Approved Providers and Staff to participate in their third webinar in the Food, Meals and Nutrition series Friday, March 17, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. AEDT.
Panelists, moderated by Janet Anderson, PSM, Senior Care Quality and Safety Officer, will include:
- dr Melanie Wroth, Chief Clinical Advisor to the Commission
- Kym Torresi, Senior Advisor Aged Care, Speech Pathology Australia
- Ngaire Hobbins, Accredited practicing nutritionist and author.
The webinar covers:
- Causes and effects of swallowing difficulties
- Use of texture-modified diets (TMDs) and consumer choices
- Maintaining a good diet with TMDs
- preventive and collaborative approaches to swallowing and nutrition.
Register for the webinar.
If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available in the days following the webinar.
For more information on the Commission’s resources on food, nutrition and nutrition, or to watch the first two webinars in the series, visit the Commission’s website.
Updated home care package pricing report now available
The National Summary of Home Care Package Pricing – 31 December 2022 is now available.
The report outlines home care package program pricing data for general home care services, care management, package management, staff travel and exit amount.
As of December 31, 2022, the median rate of care was $104 per standard hour, while light gardening, home recreation, personal hygiene, and cleaning/housekeeping ranged from $61 to $65 per standard hour.
The department also released the Home Care Package – Published Pricing Schedule – December 31, 2022, which shows the full pricing data entered into My Aged Care by providers.
Webinar: Early Findings from SIRS in Household Services
The Commission on Quality and Safety in Elderly Care will host a webinar Tuesday, March 21, 1:00-2:00 p.m. AEDT to examine the early lessons and emerging trends from the extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) to in-home services.
The webinar will feature panelists from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, including Ann Wunsch, Executive Director, Approvals and Serious Incident Notifications, and Dr. Melanie Wroth, Chief Clinical Officer.
The webinar will include a question and answer session and attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance about the registration process.
Register for the webinar.
Vision Australia webinars for Commonwealth Home Support Program providers
Vision Australia is presenting two hour-long webinars for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) providers. Sessions are free for all employees working for organizations that offer CHSP.
Why Older People Need Smart Technology – Tuesday, March 28 at 12pm AEDT
Need help encouraging older people to use smart technology? Many Vision Australia CHSP receivers use Google Assistant and Alexa to access information and stay connected with friends and family.
This webinar will share information about Vision Australia’s technology pilot:
- how this project strengthened the social participation and independence of older people
- what participants had to say
- practical advice on how to introduce this technology to your customers.
Register for the smart technology webinar.
What a Customer Outcome Measurement Tool Can Look Like – Wednesday, March 29, 2:00 p.m. AEDT
Vision Australia experts will discuss the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), a measurement framework used to measure person-centred outcomes.
This webinar is suitable for geriatric nurses and clinical management staff and will cover:
- how the COPM works
- Importance of Outcome Measurement
- Benefits of using an outcomes measurement tool
- Understanding the impact of a service on the customer and the organization.
Register for the COPM webinar.
