The Quality Standards Resource Centre helps extend understanding of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which took effect from 1 November 2025. You can search for resources by using keywords, or filtering by standard, outcome and audience. Before using the Resource Centre, please read the terms of use.
National Consensus Statement - Essential elements for recognising and responding to acute physical deterioration
This consensus statement outlines essential elements for recognising and responding to acute physiological deterioration in healthcare settings. It covers clinical processes like vital signs monitoring, diagnosis, and rapid response systems, as well as organisational aspects such as leadership, education, and evaluation. It provides generic information that can be applied to the aged care setting.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
About speech pathologists - Aged care
This resource discusses the role of speech pathologists in supporting older people with communication and swallowing disorders caused by ageing, neurological conditions, and other health factors. It highlights the prevalence of communication and swallowing difficulties in aged care, their impacts, and how speech pathology services promote independence, participation, and quality of life through assessment, therapy, and tailored interventions.
Mental health and wellbeing - Anxiety
This resource provides information on anxiety among older adults, especially those in residential aged care. It outlines risk factors, detection tools, and effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions such as reminiscence therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. It also provides guidance on what both individuals and organisations can do to prevent and manage anxiety effectively.
Diet and nutrition health advice
This resource provides evidence-based diet and nutrition advice to support healthy communities. It includes articles on various diets, managing health conditions, and guidelines for healthy eating across different life stages. The resource also offers guidance on when to consult a dietitian for personalised nutrition planning and support.
Home Medicines Review
This resource provides information on the Home Medicines Review (HMR) program, designed to support the safe and effective use of medicines for patients at home. It outlines the process, eligibility criteria, program variations, claiming and payments, rural loading allowance, and guidance for pharmacists and healthcare providers involved in medication reviews
Working with older people with diabetes
This resource provides materials for health professionals supporting older people with diabetes. Resources cover diabetes symptoms and management, blood glucose monitoring, diabetes medication, healthy eating, and more, aiming to improve quality care.
Mental health and wellbeing - Depression
This resource provides information on depression in older adults, particularly in residential aged care. It discusses risk factors, detection tools, and treatment approaches, including psychotherapy, music-based interventions, and exercise. It also provides guidance on what both individuals and organisations can do to prevent and manage depression effectively.
Mental health and wellbeing - Screening tools
This resource covers screening tools for detecting anxiety and depression in older adults, especially in residential aged care. It discusses the importance of mental health screening, steps individuals and organisations can take, choosing appropriate tools, and highlights tools such as the Geriatric Depression Scale and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. It emphasises early detection and routine mental health screening in aged care.
Mental health and wellbeing - Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
This resource examines suicidal thoughts and self-harm in older adults, particularly in residential aged care. It discusses associated risk factors, the prevalence of mental health conditions, what organisations and individuals can do and gaps in understanding suicide risk. It also reviews interventions, highlighting the need for mental health assessments and training to improve detection and care.