Quality Standards Resource Centre

This resource is a fictional scenario that follows an older person’s care pathway with a residential aged care provider. The resource focuses on the systems and processes to support high-quality care of older people living with cognitive impairment. It includes 4 key priority areas: person-centred care, medication management, managing changed behaviours and transitions of care. 

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.

This fact sheet supports the Falls Guidelines for Australian Residential Aged Care Services. It includes recommendations from the falls guidelines about multifaceted interventions, exercise, hip protectors, dairy food provision, vitamin D supplements, and osteoporosis medicines. 

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.

This fact sheet supports the Falls Guidelines for Community Care. It includes recommendations from the falls guidelines including exercise to prevent falls, home safety interventions, multi component interventions, and single interventions for specific risk factors.

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.

The Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls in Older People: Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Residential Aged Care Services has been developed for use by health professionals and the aged care workforce. 

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.

This resource is a fictional scenario that follows an older person’s care pathway with an in-home aged care provider. The resource focuses on the systems and processes to support high-quality care of older people living with dementia. It includes 4 key priority areas: person-centred care, medication management, managing changed behaviours and transitions of care. 

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.

This fact sheet is informed by the Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard (CCS), developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The CCS describes the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines for people with cognitive disability or impairment, in a way that upholds their rights, dignity, health and quality of life. 

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.

This framework provides a consistent national approach to clinical governance in healthcare, focusing on governance structures, leadership, culture, safety and quality improvement systems, clinical performance, care environment, and consumer partnerships. It supports healthcare organisations in developing systems to ensure accountability, safety, quality of care, and continuous improvement, following the NSQHS Standards. 

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.

This resource provides guidance on managing incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and pressure injuries (PI) in aged care. It highlights the differences between IAD and PI, emphasises the need for timely assessment and monitoring, and outlines strategies for prevention, including proper skin care, repositioning, and using appropriate continence products to prevent skin damage. 

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. 

This guide offers practical strategies for care workers to support people with dementia in making everyday decisions within residential aged care settings. It covers communication techniques, promoting choice in personal care and daily activities, understanding body language, and emphasises person-centred care while respecting residents' preferences, dignity, and rights.

This resource provides information on preventing falls at home for older people. It explains common causes of falls, such as poor lighting and slippery surfaces, and offers practical solutions like home modifications, exercise, and footwear adjustments. The document emphasises maintaining safety in and around the home to reduce the risk of falls.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource provides guidelines for managing patients with multimorbidity in aged care settings. It includes frameworks for assessing treatment burden, identifying patients at risk, and developing individualised care plans. It recommends validated tools for screening, a focus on quality of life, and strategies for medication review and care coordination.

This guide reviews the physiological changes associated with ageing across multiple body systems, including cardiovascular, nervous, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, skin, haematological, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems. It also discusses clinical manifestations of these changes, implications for care, and provides recommendations for adjusting clinical practice to meet the needs of older adults, including medication reviews, hydration, mobility support, and preventive health strategies.

This guide outlines the challenges of diagnosing and managing geriatric syndromes, describing clusters like immobility, instability, incontinence, frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive impairment. It introduces the 'Geriatric 5Ms' framework: Mind, Mobility, Medications, Mult complexity, and Matters Most, which assists in comprehensive assessment and care planning for older adults, focusing on mental health, physical function, medication review, complex health needs, and care goals.

This guide offers principles and practice points for assessing and managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in aged care. It includes frameworks for comprehensive patient assessment, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, medication review, and personalised care plans to improve care outcomes for dementia patients.

This resource offers guidance on diagnosing and managing dementia, covering its impact on cognitive and physical functions, screening methods, and differential diagnoses. It discusses appropriate use of medications, non-pharmacological approaches, and ongoing care plans for supporting those with dementia. It includes practical recommendations on cognitive assessments, functional reviews, and medication management.

This guide details the provision of after-hours care for older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and the community. It covers collaborative agreements between GPs and RACFs, processes to reduce emergency department visits, hospital avoidance strategies, and the importance of coordinating multidisciplinary care. It also addresses infrastructure needs, support staff availability, and funding arrangements to ensure quality care during after-hours periods.

This guide discusses multiculturalism in aged care, addressing the diverse needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older adults. It covers healthcare principles, communication strategies, clinical considerations, and culturally tailored approaches for areas like medication management, dementia, mental health, nutrition, and substance use. It also provides practical advice for general practitioners, carers, and aged care facilities to deliver culturally safe and effective care.

This guide addresses barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in accessing aged care, such as cultural safety, geographic challenges, and geriatric syndromes experienced at younger ages. It discusses the importance of culturally appropriate care, the use of specific assessment tools, and the unique needs of the Stolen Generation within residential and community settings.

This guide discusses strategies for supporting independent living in older adults, covering concepts of healthy ageing, using aged care services, respite care, and re-aligning function. It highlights the role of general practitioners in promoting autonomy, addressing individual needs, and avoiding ageist language while facilitating access to community or residential care services.

This guide addresses the management of disabilities in older adults, including mobility, cognitive impairments, developmental disabilities, hearing and visual impairment, psychiatric conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. It outlines approaches for general practitioners to provide holistic care, monitor health risks, adapt support systems, and coordinate with allied health professionals in residential aged care settings.