news
Means test taskforce
Complicated and stressful means test
form set to be replaced.
T
he government has announced a new taskforce charged
with the creation of a simpler means test form for people
entering aged care.
Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said the taskforce will
also provide recommendations on faster means testing, including
for those with complex financial affairs.
“The current 28-page form can be challenging, so we plan to
have major simplifications in place by May next year,” Keenan said.
On top of the easier-to-use form, there would also be another
that’s even less complex for those with simple financial affairs.
The group will also work to simplify the 18-page form for those
accessing home care.
The taskforce was set up, in part, as a response to community
members’ complaints that the form was unnecessarily
complicated and filling it out was stressful.
Led by the Department of Human Services, taskforce
members include representation from aged care providers,
financial advisers, relevant government agencies and consumer
representatives. The department confirmed Leading Age Services
Australia, Aged Care Gurus and Aged Care Steps as some of
its members.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said work was also commencing
on a $61.7 million revamp of the My Aged Care portal to make
access easier.
The funding, wrapped up in an $85 million bundle, was
earmarked in the last federal budget.
Wyatt said the tool must be as easy to use as possible
and provide consumers with the right information in a
people-friendly format.
My Aged Care will receive an upgraded website and enhanced
service finder, more self-service options, a client journey
dashboard and a referrals system for health professionals.
“This will allow doctors and specialists to send referrals to
My Aged Care directly from their clinical information systems,
and to track the progress of their clients through My Aged Care,”
Wyatt said.
He added that aged care access will also be streamlined,
with $14.8 million to develop a new integrated assessment
system for older Australians. ■
Aged care homes to
field unannounced visits
There will be no compromise,
minister says.
U
8
nannounced audits have begun
rolling out across Australia’s aged
care homes.
agedcareinsite.com.au
July 1 marked the start date
for the new system, under which
aged care homes will no longer
receive notices for the dates of
re-accreditation audits.
The move was recommended
in Kate Carnell and Professor Ron
Paterson’s Review of National Aged Care
Quality Regulatory Processes.
Carnell and Paterson said Australian
Aged Care Quality Agency data over
the past five years demonstrates that
unannounced site visits are more effective
than announced site visits at identifying
non-compliance.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said there
will be no compromise.
“This is about certainty and confidence
for older Australians and families whose
loved ones are receiving care.
“Statistics show that, overwhelmingly,
Australia’s aged care homes provide
outstanding services, but our focus
must be on maintaining high standards
across the board and at all times,”
Wyatt said.
He said the new re-accreditation audit
regime builds on the existing system
of unannounced inspections by the
Quality Agency.
“Since last July, the agency has
conducted almost 3000 unannounced
assessment visits on homes, targeting
specific quality standard requirements,
with nine homes losing their accreditation.”
The outcome of the audits, along
with interviews with aged care residents
and families, will be published on the
Quality Agency website. ■