Aged & Community Care Providers Association’s Post

The New Aged Care Bill Passed by Parliament On November 25, 2024, Parliament passed the new Aged Care Bill, with the new Aged Care Act set to take effect from 1 July 2025 after Royal Assent. This is a major milestone, following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's top recommendation for reform. The new Act focuses on improving aged care services and strengthening Aged Care Quality Standards. Support at Home Program Launching on 1 July 2025, this program will help older Australians live independently for longer, offering home modifications and assistive technology for safe and comfortable living. The Act also prioritises groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those aged 50–64 experiencing or at risk of homelessness, ensuring better access to essential services. Costs Importantly, there are no new levies or taxes, no changes to family home means testing, and no one will pay more than $130,000 in non-clinical care costs over their lifetime. For every $1 an aged care resident contributes, the Government on average will contribute $3. Public consultations on the Aged Care Rules are now open. To learn more and provide your feedback, visit. https://buff.ly/3ZvLLI9 Find out what the new law means for you by reading, https://buff.ly/3Zupcnc For further details, read the Minister for Aged Care’s media release. https://buff.ly/493CNFj Contact St Simeon Healthcare today, we are here to help you through these changes. Homecare: (02) 8645 4010 E: homecare@stsimeon.org.au Residential Village: (02) 9675 3285 E: info@stsimeon.org.au buff.ly/3zIAfiC #StSimeonHealthcare #newagedcareact

📣 HUGE news for Rural Aged Care! 📣 A brilliant article by Aged Care Insite, goes through the current government's plan to invest heavily into Aged Care, particularly in the areas that are most desperate for support. My three key takeaways are: 💵 The Australian government is allocating $900 million to improve aged care services in rural, remote, and specialist areas as part of a broader $5.6 billion reform package. 🏡 $600 million will go toward the “Support at Home” program, streamlining care access and replacing several existing programs by 2027. 🏥 The remaining $300 million will fund infrastructure to support aged care providers in underserved regions, aiming to enhance care accessibility for vulnerable populations. Full article linked below:

🌟 What's New in Care This Week? A Message from Today Care Services 🌟 🔔 At Today Care Services, we’re always keeping an eye on the latest developments in social care to ensure we provide the very best for our clients and their families. Here’s what’s happening this week: Important Conversations: The UK is buzzing with discussions about the future of social care, from workforce development to new legislative changes. We’re committed to staying informed and adapting to meet the needs of our community. Supporting Families: Caring for loved ones can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Whether it’s expert live-in care, 24-hour support, or specialised services like palliative care, we’re here to help. You don’t have to carry the burden alone. Why Choose Today Care? ✅ Compassionate and highly trained staff ✅ Tailored care plans to fit your loved one’s needs ✅ Support designed to give families peace of mind Let's Start a Conversation! Have a question about home care or just want to learn more about how we can support you? Drop us a message or comment below! Together, we can make care more personal and less stressful. Visit our website: www.todaycare.co.uk Call us today: 01174039066 Let's make caring for your loved ones a little brighter, together. #homecare #TodayCareServices #socialcareupdates #familysupport #yate #chippingsodbury #wottonunderedge #stroud #Domecare #homecare #ElderlySupport #bristol #SupportAtHome #homehelp #southgloss

Considered and strategic advocacy can achieve the changes we need in aged care service delivery.

AGED CARE NEWS: Call For Volunteers To Join ACVVS * ACVVS involves volunteers visiting older people in government-subsidised care or who are socially isolated, aiming to provide friendship and companionship. * The scheme has operated for over 30 years, focusing on improving quality of life and reducing isolation for older people from diverse and vulnerable backgrounds. * Community organisations recruit, train, and support volunteers, who visit older people at least 20 times a year, with visits taking place in homes or care facilities. * Referrals for the scheme can come from the individuals themselves, aged care providers, family, friends, or health professionals. * Monash University will evaluate the scheme's effectiveness, impact on diverse groups, cost-effectiveness, and achievement of outcomes until 2026. Volunteers can sign up for the scheme at: https://lnkd.in/g9BHCbxg #AgedCareNews #AgedCare #AgedCareAustralia #Health #HealthCare #HealthCareNews #Volunteer #volunteers

🚨 Important Update in Healthcare for 2024! 🚨 As of October 1, 2023, a new Place of Service Code 27 has been introduced, specifically designed for outreach sites and locations like the streets where healthcare professionals provide essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness. This new code is a crucial step in recognizing and supporting the healthcare needs of those without stable housing. However, please note that Medicare will not be processing claims with this code at this time, which means any claims submitted will be returned. This initiative reflects a growing commitment to enhancing access to healthcare for vulnerable populations and acknowledging the important work being done in non-traditional settings. Let’s continue advocating for equitable healthcare access and support the vital services reaching those in need! #HealthcareInnovation #Homelessness #OutreachServices #HealthEquity #PlaceOfServiceCode27 #2024Healthcare

Aged Care Commissioner, Carolyn Cooper, joined RNZ on Nine to Noon today, highlighting the mounting pressure on aged care services, particularly in regional towns like Wairoa. With the closure of local facilities, many families are left caring for vulnerable elderly relatives at home, often in inadequate conditions.   The Commissioner pointed out critical gaps in our system, reflecting concerns the Aged Care Association have raised for years, noting “there’s no continuum of care that’s properly designed across the country". She goes on to emphasise the need for community-designed care services that reflect local needs.   Te Whatu Ora are developing a new funding model, and the Aged Care Association continues to urge for better consultation and transparency. The sector simply must be involved in shaping any future models to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for our elderly population. Without proper sector involvement, we risk further straining already struggling providers and leaving older New Zealanders without the support they need.   It's time for a unified approach that prioritises the well-being of our elderly and ensures no community is left behind in accessing essential care. https://lnkd.in/gCgdH646

We are pleased to announce our support for the Aged Care Taskforce Report, emphasising the need for collaborative action to ensure a sustainable aged care sector. Our CEO, Russell Bricknell, highlighted the report as a critical step in guiding necessary reforms to provide high-quality care for all older Australians. In addition to ongoing reforms, including the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and improvements to Home Care, we are advocating for increased funding for Home Care Packages to address growing waitlists. We are also working alongside UnitingCare Australia to promote equal access to aged care services, regardless of financial circumstances. Furthermore, we are urging the Government to prioritise affordable housing in aged care discussions, emphasising the importance of addressing housing and homelessness issues facing older Australians. Read more https://lnkd.in/gQijK6Qe

Closer look at Support at Home. Along with the tabling of the Aged Care Act on 12 September, the Government released an overview of its final version of Support at Home. This is at least the fourth iteration of the new program. I know many people will be examining the further detail of Support at Home as it is released in coming days, and I look forward to hearing their insights. For my part, I will be considering the likely impact of the program against the following ten threshold questions. Given that projected waiting times will still be three months (in 2027) for an older person to be allocated a place in Support at Home after assessment, what supports will be available for individuals with urgent needs while waiting? How will Support at Home manage the dramatic changes in the degree and type of support needed by many older people due to major changes in their circumstances, such as significant rapid deterioration in their health or the loss of informal carer support? Will the already protracted waiting times for assessment and reassessment blow out further? Will the new (very welcome) palliative care and restorative funding streams be accessible quickly enough to maximise their benefit? Given the 10% cap on the cost of care partnering, will this funding be sufficient to deal with the intensity of partnering support required by many older people, especially those with poor cognition or those lacking family assistance? How will the tiered financial contribution requirements for Everyday Living and Independence play out in practice given that many existing services involve a range of tasks which may cover elements of multiple contribution levels? Will Support at Home and other changes being introduced at the same time further drive up the already high unavoidable costs of administration for aged care providers? Will the program be affordable in the long run for both older people and the community? Will Support at Home open the door to corrupt practices and targeting by organised crime as has happened with the NDIS? What will the unwelcome, unintended consequences of Support at Home be? #CouncilOfEldersAgedCare #supportathome #agedcare #homecare #AgedCareRoyalCommission #agedcarereform #ACCPA #AnikaWells #cota #paulsadler

Earlier this year, an independent taskforce made 23 recommendations to save aged care in Australia so that everyone can age with dignity. In less than a week, the Federal Government will decide whether it will put these common-sense proposals into the Budget - and for the Opposition to support them too. These recommendations – including asking those who can to make a small contribution to their accommodation costs – are fair and reasonable. It will mean the difference between an aged care system where all older Australians receive high quality care, whatever their income, and an under-funded system that condemns our parents and grandparents to lower standards, less choice, and poorer outcomes. This is the chance to get aged care right, for all of us. #agedcare