With just four weeks until the 14 May Federal Budget, the Opposition is sensing blood with Shadow Minister for Aged Care Anne Ruston taking another swipe at the Government this week – see my thoughts on what the sector could see in the Budget papers below.
The latest Home Care Packages Program data report has also revealed a big upswing in the number of older Australians waiting for a Package – Bolton Clarke’s Tim Hicks gives us his opinion on what’s behind this trend.
And data released this morning reveals that only 805 aged care homes (32% of total homes) met both the mandatory 200 care minute target and the 40 Registered Nurses care minute target in the December quarter.
Plus, SA standalone operator Tanunda Lutheran Home rolls out its latest robotic investment.
And keep an eye out for our latest issue of SATURDAY, with Dr Rosh Jalagge of Roshana Care Group on the cover – it’s a Workforce special, looking at the staffing challenges – and solutions – across the sector. Subscribe here.
Opinion: what could be on the table for aged care on Budget night?
By Lauren Broomham
With just over four weeks until the 2024-25 Federal Budget is announced on 14 May, anticipation is building for Treasurer Jim Chalmers to restore some much-needed certainty to the aged care sector.
35% increase in people waiting for Home Care Packages - 40,000 new Packages needed in FY25
By Caroline Egan
As of 31 December 2023, there were 51,044 older Australians waiting for a Home Care Package at their assessed level of need, a 35% increase - or 13,150 more people - than at the same time a year prior.
New Quality Standards will come into effect with new Aged Care Act: Department confirms
By Caroline Egan
The Department of Health and Aged Care has confirmed that the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will be rolled out at the same time as the new Aged Care Act.
Shadow Aged Care Minister's Budget wish: fix workforce shortages
By Caroline Egan
The Shadow Minister for Aged Care Anne Ruston is calling on the Government to use the upcoming Federal Budget to do more to plug the 6,000 gap in Registered Nurses that must be filled to meet mandatory care requirements from 1 October 2024.
Only in SATURDAY WORKFORCE ISSUE: Anglicare cuts hiring time in aged care to just 13 days
By Caroline Egan
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proved a game changer for Anglicare's recruitment.The Sydney-based Christian Not For Profit has not only reduced its time to recruit, it has also halved its vacancies - in only 12 months.
68% of aged care homes falling short on care minute targets
By Caroline Egan
Data for the October-December 2023 quarter, released this morning, reveals that only 805 aged care homes (32% of total homes) met both the mandatory 200 care minute target and the 40 Registered Nurses (RN) care minute target.
Is this the future of aged care: Tanunda Lutheran Home employs 10th robot with companion robot trial
By Caroline Egan
South Australian aged care provider Tanunda Lutheran Home (TLH) is trialling its 10th robot - a Chat GPT-enabled companion robot which has been developed by US-based Andromeda Robotics.
Two Victorian councils commit to expanding home care operations
By Caroline Egan
After seperate reviews Warrnambool City Council and Mount Alexander Shire Council have committed to delivering home care services into the future with plans to expand their service offering.
Only in SATURDAY WORKFORCE ISSUE: the innovate regional aged care CEO
By Caroline Egan
Veronica Jamison, Chief Executive Officer at Shepparton Retirement Villages, is facing severe workforce shortages like many regional residential aged care operators.
Presbyterian Aged Care Executive Chair: "I don't think we are Robinson Crusoe"
By Caroline Egan
After selling its home care business to Not For Profit BaptistCare last month, Presbyterian Aged Care NSW is still looking to exit residential aged care.
Aged care occupancy higher than pre-COVID levels as reform uncertainty stalls development
By Caroline Egan
Residential aged care occupancy rates have returned to pre-COVID levels and are trending higher and will continue to do so as demand for residential aged care is buoyed by the ageing population.
Linda Feldt appointed CEO ACH Group after Interim role
By Caroline Egan
The South Australian Not For Profit operator appointed Linda Feldt Interim CEO in November 2023, after former CEO Frank Weits stepped down from the top job.
Aged care operator Cranbrook Care opens Memory Support Unit on Sydney's North Shore
By Caroline Egan
Private NSW aged care operator Cranbrook Care has opened a new memory support unit, Reflections Wellness Centre, and Deluxe Suites at its Lansdowne Gardens aged care home in Neutral Bay, about 1.5km north of the Sydney CBD.
Private aged care operator TLC Healthcare commences $27M redevelopment of Geelong healthcare precinct
By Caroline Egan
Melbourne-based private aged care operator TLC Healthcare has begun a $27 million redevelopment of its Belmont healthcare precinct, located close to the centre of the city of Geelong, 72km southwest of Melbourne's CBD.
Paul Turner appointed CEO of Navorina Nursing Home in Deniliquin, NSW
By Caroline Egan
Navorina Nursing Home, a standalone facility in the regional NSW town of Deniliquin, 725km west of Sydney, has appointed aged care and childcare executive Paul Turner as its new CEO.
Delay in rights-based aged care laws “deeply concerning”: COTA Australia and OPAN
By Caroline Egan
The delayed introduction of aged care reforms that had been promised from 1 July this year will be a "blow" to the rights of older Australians, say the two peak bodies for older people, Council on the Ageing Australia (COTA Australia) and the Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN).
