27 June 2024  Edition 1254

Hi Mark, 

A swathe of reports have crossed our desks at the DCM Group this week (though sadly not the Government’s response to the Aged Care Taskforce) and the overriding message appears to be the continuing decline in the financial fortunes of both residential aged care and home care providers.

With the UTS Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC) putting the cost of new and refurbished aged care beds at $72 billion over the next decade, is there any optimism for the future out there? See my opinion piece. 

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority reveals its work program for 2024-25 – including its aged care pricing timeline. 

And check out our list of the Top 10 largest home care providers in Australia – with home care now valued at $8 billion and growing, these are the operators that are leading the pack. 

Despite aged care’s capital issues, optimistic providers are planning ahead for new beds

By Lauren Broomham

The latest UARC Report has confirmed the capital challenge facing aged care providers, but there are operators that say they are prepared to build new aged care beds – when the Government releases its response to the Aged Care Taskforce.

Residential aged care’s financial performance expected to weaken: Govt’s Financial Snapshot

By Caroline Egan

The financial performance of residential aged care providers improved significantly from the comparable period last financial year, but when compared with the results of the previous quarter, the results appear weaker and could deteriorate further for the remainder of the year, according to the Department of Health and Aged Care's Quarterly Financial Snapshot.

Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie calls on Gov to establish portfolio for Older Australians

By Caroline Egan

In parliament on Wednesday, Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie introduced a Private Members Bill calling on the Government to establish a portfolio and Minister for Older Australians.

Get behind Aged Care Taskforce recommendations in full or risk reforms: ACCPA

By Caroline Egan

Aged care providers must back the full suite of Aged Care Taskforce recommendations or risk derailing reforms, says Tom Symondson, CEO of Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA).

Home care provider profitability falls to five-year low: UARC

By Caroline Egan

The EBITDA for home care providers has fallen from a provider average of $6.99 per care recipient per day in the first half of 2019-20 to barely breaking even at $1.77 per care recipient per day in the first half of 2023-24, according to UTS Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC)'s Australia's Aged Care Sector: Mid-Year Report 2023-24.

Only in SATURDAY: private developers look to affordable housing to de-risk projects

By Caroline Egan

With the Federal Government throwing cash at affordable housing, how are developers de-risking their projects amid soaring development costs?

Department blames providers for inaccurate My Aged Care information

By Caroline Egan

The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) is conducting further data quality checks on its aged care portal, My Aged Care, after media report suggested the site is a "minefield of mistakes".

Canberra’s first dementia village 10 years behind the times

By Caroline Egan

The ACT Government, through agents JLL, has invited dementia care providers to tender for a new dementia village being proposed for Curtin, 10km south west of the Canberra CBD, but one provider approached for the site says they will not be putting in for the project.

1 July 2024 not the pivotal date the aged care sector had anticipated

By Caroline Egan

The new aged care regulatory model, including the new Aged Care Act and Aged Care Quality Standards, were originally due to take effect from 1 July 2024.

IHACPA confirms timeline for aged care funding prices

By Caroline Egan

The Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) has provided some insights into when aged care providers can expect to know the recommended pricing for the next financial year in its Work Program and Corporate Plan 2024-25.

The top 10 largest home care providers in Australia

By Caroline Egan

One of the most notable features of Australia's aged care system in recent years has been the rapid growth in home care - the number of Australians with a Home Care Package has nearly tripled from 93,331 in December 2018 to 269,573 in December 2023.

Infinite Care the latest operator to join SA Health’s program for hospital patients waiting for aged care beds

By Caroline Egan

Infinite Care Klemzig, 6km north east of the Adelaide CBD, has admitted the first residents under its Care Awaiting Placement (CAPS) program, which provides short-term placements for SA Health patients awaiting a permanent bed in residential aged care.

WA aged care providers commit to culturally appropriate aged care for First Nation customers

By Caroline Egan

Four of Western Australia's largest aged care providers - Juniper, MercyCare, Bethanie, and Hall and Prior - have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aboriginal-community-controlled organisation and Stolen Generations advocate, Yokai, to improve culturally appropriate services for First Nations customers.

Attention aged care providers: sponsored visa changes for migrant workers to impact sector

By Caroline Egan

Changes to the rights of temporary sponsored work visa holders, such as those on Aged Care Labour Agreements, will make it easier for them to change employers, says Taya Hunt, Partner with law firm MinterEllison.

What the? DoHAC asks home care providers what services they are delivering

By Caroline Egan

In a surprising move, the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has asked home care providers to tell them the hours of care they are delivering and the specific home care services they are providing in its latest newsletter.

Not For Profit opens dementia village on NSW Mid North Coast after 16 years in development

By Caroline Egan

Emmaus Village, which has been 16 years in the planning, officially opened in May 2024, with 14 residents already living in their new home, designed in accordance with the famous the Hogeweyk model of dementia care.

NSW nurses’ union makes ambitious bid for 15% wage rise

By Caroline Egan

The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA) is calling on the NSW Government to invest in state-owned and run residential aged care facilities to free up beds in public hospitals as it attempts to bolster its argument for a wage increase for its members.

Alzheimer’s Queensland lodges DA for three-storey Brisbane aged care home

By Caroline Egan

Alzheimer's Queensland has lodged a Development Application for the 48-bed redevelopment of Rosalie Nursing Care Centre, in Paddington, 4km west of the Brisbane CBD.