News feed: Aged Care Reforms

Enhancing Consumer Engagement

The new Aged Care Quality Standards, which came into effect on 1 July 2019, place a much greater focus on the individual consumer, their family and support network. This means that how aged care service providers engage with consumers is under the microscope, and providers will need to find new ways of creating partnerships with consumers, their families, and communities.

In 2018, COTA Queensland was commissioned by The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (which have now become part of the … Read the rest

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posted on 2nd Aug 2019

Update on the Royal Commission

Over the past few weeks, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has held hearings in Broome, Darwin and Cairns focused on aged care for people in remote, rural and regional locations. The challenges highlighted at these hearings included high costs, difficulties attracting and retaining staff and the lack of supporting services to maintain buildings and facilities, and the lack of access to services provided by nurses, doctors and dentists to help people stay at home.

Hearings in … Read the rest

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posted on 2nd Aug 2019

Queensland Inquiry into Aged Care, end of life and palliative care and voluntary assisted dying

Public Hearings

The Committee responsible for the Queensland Inquiry into Aged Care, end of life and palliative care and voluntary assisted dying continues to hold public hearings around the state over the next few months.

The final locations are:

Location Date
Brisbane 23 August, 11 & 12 September
Ipswich 9 September
Gold Coast 10 September

If you are interested in being in the audience or speaking at a witness at one of these forums, you can register and find out … Read the rest

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posted on 2nd Aug 2019

New Aged Care Standards

On 1 July 2019, the Quality Standards came into effect. They apply to all Australian Government subsidised aged care services. The Quality Standards clearly define what good aged care care should look like.

The Quality Standards make it easier to check that people receive good care. Good care is not about ‘ticking boxes’. It’s about them caring for you and your individual needs.

Watch the video below to see what the new Quality Standards mean for you in practice. Translated … Read the rest

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posted on 11th Jul 2019

New look for My Aged Care website

In response to user feedback, the My Aged Care website has changed in an attempt to be more user friendly.   Take a look on www.myagedcare.gov.au   The site contains information to assist in understanding and accessing the government subsidised aged care system.

In addition to information about types of care, assessment, finding a provider and managing services, there are also fee estimators, comparison tools for comparing service providers and costs, questions to ask service providers and more.

… Read the rest

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posted on 11th Jul 2019

Finding the support you need

If you’re finding it harder to do the things you used to, My Aged Care can help you access aged services to support you.

The My Aged Care website features a range of resources for consumers and service providers.

These resources include new case study videos for:

You can view or download all of these resources from the My Aged Care website.

… Read the rest

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posted on 13th Mar 2019

Royal Commission and Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry

Two opportunities to have your say about aged care, palliative care and end of life care

Let our politicians and decision makers know what is important to you and your family and loved ones, both now and into the future.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into aged care, end-of-life care and palliative care and voluntary assisted dying are seeking your views on both what is not working well in our … Read the rest

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posted on 13th Mar 2019

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

COTA Australia CEO Ian Yates spoke at length on the first day of the hearings.  Read the transcripts or view the live webcasts or video recordings for any of the hearings at agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au

The Royal Commission continues to invite submissions until at least the end of June 2019.  Interested members of the public and institutions can make a submission at agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au

 

… Read the rest

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posted on 12th Mar 2019

The Actions to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse, and Intersex elders

Everyone in Australia has the right to access quality, inclusive and culturally safe aged care services that cater to their individual needs and respect their background and life experiences.

The Australian Government has published the Aged Care Diversity Framework and a series of action plans to help the aged care sector to better cater for the diverse characteristics and life experiences of older Australians.

The Framework and action plans were developed following extensive community consultations.

The Actions to support Lesbian, … Read the rest

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posted on 18th Feb 2019

More Home Care Packages

In December the Commonwealth Government announced the release of 10,000 high level home care packages as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO)  budget review.

The 10,000 new high-level home care packages deliver important services at home, such as complex clinical care from a range of providers, nursing and mobility care, nutrition, hydration and meal preparation and transport support.

The packages will be available from early 2019 and split across 5,000 level 3 and 5,000 level 4 packages … Read the rest

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posted on 14th Jan 2019