Seniors and aged care providers say the government must act on systemic failures in regulatory oversight and study role of quality agency following Senate report.
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council-on-the-ageing
No end in sight to aged care’s mental health blockage
Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt has heard from experts about how to address the current exclusion of residents from subsidised psychological services but there is no timeline for action, department officials say.
Report paints a ‘bleak picture’ for seniors who rent
There are mounting calls for government to include affordable housing measures in next week’s budget as new research again shows seniors are particularly vulnerable.
Release of ACFI review is imminent
The government is preparing to release the highly-anticipated review into alternatives to the Aged Care Funding Instrument.
Providers against overhauling aged care bonds scheme as authority launches review
There is no compelling case to change the Accommodation Bond Guarantee Scheme in aged care given most aged care operators have adequate prudential arrangements and the government can already levy industry to recoup costs, providers will tell the Aged Care Funding Authority’s review of the scheme.
Access to psychologists in aged care is an ‘urgent priority’, COTA tells minister
Seniors are ramping up pressure on the Federal Government over the lack of access to psychological services for older people living in residential aged care, launching a petition calling on new health minister Greg Hunt to reverse the discriminatory policy.
Commonwealth not budging on access for seniors in aged care to psychology services
The Federal Government is not committing to remove current restrictions that prevent aged care residents from accessing Medicare-funded psychology sessions, despite a growing chorus of experts calling for a change and mounting media coverage of the issue.
More evidence needed on abuse reporting before adopting proposed changes: providers
Aged care provider peak bodies say more evidence and consideration is needed before the laws around mandatory reporting of assaults in aged care are expanded, following the Australian Law Reform Commission’s proposals for a new regime.
Aged care review faces unclear picture on unmet demand for care
How many older people miss out on aged care due to a scarcity of places? It’s the question that could frustrate the long-awaited review of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms, which now gets underway.
Review of aged care reforms gets underway with senior appointment
Stakeholders have welcomed the government’s much-anticipated appointment of a top bureaucrat to lead the review of the Living Longer Living Better reforms, saying they are keen for the process to get started.
Parliament passes laws enacting 2017 reforms
Legislation enacting the next wave of reforms giving older Australians more choice about their home care services passed in the Senate yesterday.
Looking ahead: what aged care stakeholders want achieved in 2016
With the government having signalled the next reforms to commence in 2017, many are hopeful that 2016 will be a year of action and preparation for change.
‘Urgent action’ on seniors housing needed
Seniors groups and retirement living providers have backed calls from the Productivity Commission for federal and state governments to streamline planning processes to address the pressing shortage of age-friendly accommodation.
Government’s mental health reforms criticised for ignoring seniors
Leading mental health experts and seniors groups have panned the Federal Government’s new mental health reforms for failing to address the needs of older people and those living in residential aged care.
