A”significant” imbalance of power has made residents and home care recipients fearful of making complaints, the royal commission into aged care heard this week.
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First witnesses appear at aged care royal commission
The aged care royal commission has heard evidence from its first witnesses, with calls by whistleblowers for a national database identifying rogue workers and concerns raised over an “unintentionally complex” aged care system.
$320m funding boost for residential care
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.
Calls for inquiry to look at sector’s tech-related issues
The uptake of technology among providers, digital literacy of staff and resident mental health are among key areas the royal commission needs to address on technology, an industry forum has heard.
Consumer advocates first up at royal commission
The nation’s leading consumer representatives will comprise the first witnesses at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety when hearings get underway next week.
Provider launches independent reporting service for residents
Western-Australian aged care provider Braemar Presbyterian Care has expanded its third-party whistle-blower service for staff to allow residents and family members to also anonymously raise concerns.
Peak requests $17 million to test in-facility pharmacist model
The peak body representing Australian pharmacists is calling for funding to test an in-house pharmacist model to improve medication safety in residential aged care in its budget submission.
Engagement, culture key to resolving complaints, says provider
Listening to concerns is the best way to handle complaints and other issues raised by residents, their family members and workers, an aged care CEO tells Australian Ageing Agenda.
Updated governance guidelines released for NFPs
As the aged care sector faces increased scrutiny and a royal commission, the Australian Institute of Company Directors has released new governance guidelines for not-for-profit organisations.
Change management identified as key to successful tech rollout
Aged care organisations need to focus on change management processes when introducing new technologies to best support all staff, a provider tells Australian Ageing Agenda ahead of their appearance at an upcoming industry conference.
New self-assessment resource to measure against incoming standards
The aged care sector’s new independent regulator has launched a tool for providers to understand and assess their performance against the new quality standards.
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.
SA provider achieves top dementia design status
South Australian not-for-profit aged care provider Life Care has been recognised internationally for the highest standard of dementia design at its facility in Joslin.
Expert advises on best-practice use of antipsychotics
Giving an antipsychotic medication to an aged care resident should only be considered when all other interventions have failed, writes Natalie Soulsby.
