Category: Uncategorized

The Aged Care Quality and Safety commission has released a framework and guidance document on the topic of open disclosure.

To summarise, open disclosure is a key requirement in aged care, ensuring transparency when things go wrong in care delivery as per compliance for registered providers.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission audits how well providers apply open disclosure practices. Evidence of open disclosure demonstrates that a provider has effective systems for identifying risks, learning from incidents, and improving care quality. This highlights the provider’s commitment to building consumer partnerships and prioritising safety in care delivery.

Principles of Open Disclosure:

✨ Dignity and respect

✨ Transparency in communication

✨ Privacy and confidentiality

✨ Continuous improvement

When harm occurs, providers must practice these Elements for open disclosure:

✨ Acknowledge the event

✨ Provide immediate support

✨ Apologise or express regret

✨ Investigate and explain what went wrong

✨ Learn from the event to prevent future occurrences

Providers should practise open disclosure in various situations, such as:

✨ Medication errors

✨ Infection control failures

✨ Inappropriate use of restraints

✨ Poor management of personal care, nutrition, or incontinence

✨ Inadequate end-of-life care

By embedding open disclosure into their care practices, aged care providers demonstrate a commitment to transparency, consumer safety, and continuous improvement. These efforts not only build trust with consumers and their families but also lead to higher standards of care and accountability across the sector.

For more information, visit ACQSC at: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/resources/open-disclosure

For any Home Care Package service enquiries, contact us on:

🌐 https://gihc.com.au/
📞 0481317321
📧 info@gihc.com.au⁠

Are you considering self-managing your Home Care Package? Get started in five easy steps for self-management with Gratitude In-home Care

✨ Step one – Contact Gratitude home care specialists, who will help you understand how self-management services with Gratitude works and the costs involved.

✨ Step two – We will ask about the services you require and if you know subcontractors that complete those tasks, we can make some recommendations if we know any subcontractors in your local area but it will be up to you to organise the supports.

✨ Step three – You will complete the intake documentation and sign a service agreement with Gratitude, then you can start organising your subcontractors.

✨ Step four – When you’re organising your subcontractors, keep in mind that they must have a police check, ABN, and insurance. We will sign a separate agreement with the supplier before processing their invoices for the work they provide you. We process the invoices on a weekly basis.

✨ Step five – When you start receiving services it’s important to stay within budget. We will send monthly statements so you can track spending and the budget we see on the portal.

Are you considering self-managing your Home Care Package? Get started in five easy steps for self-management with Gratitude In-home Care

✨ Step one – Contact Gratitude home care specialists, who will help you understand how self-management services with Gratitude works and the costs involved.

✨ Step two – We will ask about the services you require and if you know subcontractors that complete those tasks, we can make some recommendations if we know any subcontractors in your local area but it will be up to you to organise the supports.

✨ Step three – You will complete the intake documentation and sign a service agreement with Gratitude, then you can start organising your subcontractors.

✨ Step four – When you’re organising your subcontractors, keep in mind that they must have a police check, ABN, and insurance. We will sign a separate agreement with the supplier before processing their invoices for the work they provide you. We process the invoices on a weekly basis.

✨ Step five – When you start receiving services it’s important to stay within budget. We will send monthly statements so you can track spending and the budget we see on the portal.

As of July 1 2024, changes to the Home Care Package Subsidies 2024-25 have gone live. The subsidy has increased for all levels of the Home Care Package funding.

Visit the Department of Health and Aged Care link with this year’s rates for home care, residential aged care, transition care and short-term care:

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/schedule-of-subsidies-and-supplements-for-aged-carei

For any Home Care Package enquiries, contact us on:

http://www.gihc.com.au/
1300 912 155, (03) 9863 6149
info@gihc.com.au⁠

We’re happy to announce our new referral program.

Referring to Gratitude will ensure that your family and friends receive quality, trusted support while getting a $100 gift card as a reward for each successful referral.

Terms and conditions

 The $100 gift card bonus may be issued as a Visa, Myer, Coles, or eGift card.
The client must obtain approval from the person they are referring before submitting their details.
The new Home Care Package client must remain with Gratitude for at least 6 months for the referrer to be eligible for payment.
These Terms and Conditions are subject to change.
One referral can be submitted per new Home Care Package client.
People may submit referrals for multiple Home Care Package holders.

For referrals, you can contact Marcus Cook directly at the Marketing & Service Relationship Department on

0481 317 321, or

marcus@gihc.com.au

Alternatively, you can visit our website and fill out our contact form at gihc.com.au.

In 2019, the government committed A$50 million to ensure no individuals under 65 would enter residential aged care by 2022, and none would remain there by 2025. This aimed to address the unsuitability of aged care facilities for younger people, providing them with appropriate housing and support instead.
However, with only six months until the 2025 deadline, achieving this goal appears unlikely. Recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows that as of the end of 2023, 1,470 people under 65 (excluding First Nations people aged 50–64) still live in aged care.

Several challenges have hindered progress, including the complex needs of younger people in aged care, a shortage of accessible housing, insufficient support services, and difficulties in policy implementation.

To meet the 2025 target, there must be renewed efforts and enhanced strategies. This includes increased funding, stronger partnerships across sectors, community engagement to develop tailored solutions, and a review of current policies to remove implementation barriers.

Get in contact for any in-home aged care inquiries and to arrange a free consultation.

🌐 http://www.gihc.com.au/
📞 1300 912 155, (03) 9863 6149
📧 info@gihc.com.au⁠

New Government funded service: Free aged care translation service including sign language

The Australian Government is now providing a free translation service to help aged care providers communicate with older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Aged care providers have free access to TIS National, which includes 24/7 immediate phone interpreting, pre-booked phone interpreting, on-site (in-person) interpreting, Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS), and video remote interpreting. These services ensure effective communication and improved care for older Australians from diverse backgrounds. Providers can get print and digital materials translated into various migrant languages and use ‘Easy Read’ or ‘Easy English’ versions for better clarity.

Get in contact for any in-home aged care inquiries and to arrange a free consultation.

🌐 http://www.gihc.com.au/
📞 1300 912 155, (03) 9863 6149
📧 info@gihc.com.au⁠