The Federal Government has announced residential aged care will receive an additional $320 million as part of its new $662 million package to support older Australians.
Ken Wyatt
Government announces $280m for new home care packages
The federal government has announced an additional 10,000 home care packages as part of a $662 million commitment to aged care.
$70m a year for high need dementia network
The first of 35 new Specialist Dementia Care Units for people whose symptoms are too severe to be adequately cared for by mainstream services is expected to start receiving residents this year.
775 new restorative care places allocated from July
The first 350 of 775 new restorative care places announced in last year’s budget will be allocated by July, the federal government says, with the remainder to come online in the next financial year.
Walking Football to be promoted for seniors
A modified version of soccer tailor-made for older Australians will be promoted nationally over the next two years.
Department updates quality advice to warn against chemical restraint
The Department of Health has updated the provider resource for the new aged care quality standards to include concerns about the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications as a form of chemical restraint.
Works gets underway at aged care’s new quality regulator
The new independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, which includes a single point of contact for all aged care queries and concerns, has commenced operation.
Unscrupulous home care operators on notice
The government will review whether it is necessary to tighten registration requirements for home care providers following allegations of price-gouging, non-compliance with standards and pushy sales techniques.
Rollout begins of 10,000 new home care packages
The rollout of 10,000 new home care packages flagged in December will begin this week, the federal government says.
Flexible care places boosted in regional and remote areas
The Multi-Purpose Services aged care program will be expanded in regional, rural and remote areas in five Australian states.
Peaks welcome boost to residential aged care funding
Doctors’ groups have welcomed the additional $98 million to increase payments to general practitioners visiting aged care residents announced in the Government’s half yearly budget update.
Noticeboard: Replacement aged care royal commissioner appointed
Also in this wrap: FECCA appoints acting CEO; and Braemar appoints facility manager.
Residents report mostly positive experience but food among areas needing improvement
Almost all residents say they feel safe and respected in their facility most or all of the time, but one in six report they sometimes or never like the food, according to the first annual resident experience report.
VR puts seniors back in the driver’s seat
Virtual reality is being used to test the driving skills of older people in rural NSW.
