Quality Standards Resource Centre

This framework addresses health service challenges in rural and remote areas, aiming to improve access, workforce sustainability, and care models through coordinated strategies. It guides policymakers and providers on adapting health services for rural contexts, fostering collaboration, and enhancing infrastructure, with a focus on equitable and culturally relevant care. 

This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. 

This resource is available on the Parliament of Australia website. It includes information about aged care rights and principles, including the Statement of Rights. The Statement of Rights outlines the rights that older people will have when accessing aged care services.

This resource describes the Good Spirit Good Life (GSGL) framework for assessing the quality of life of older Aboriginal people, focusing on culturally important factors such as connection to Country, family, and spirituality. It includes tools for both self-reporting and carer-assisted reporting.

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

This resource offers guidance for working respectfully with older people, challenging stereotypes and promoting their rights to independence, dignity, and fair access to services. It emphasises communication strategies, recognising decision-making capacity, and understanding diverse needs across different groups.

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

This resource provides community education and awareness programmes to prevent elder abuse, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse seniors. It includes bilingual training for community educators, in-language resources, and guidance for recognising and addressing elder abuse through culturally appropriate methods.

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

This resource offers guidance on maintaining personal identity for people with dementia by fostering respect, independence, and communication. It suggests environmental and social modifications to enhance dignity, such as personalising spaces, supporting mobility, and addressing unmet needs.

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

This resource offers guidance on maintaining personal identity for people with dementia by fostering respect, independence, and communication. It suggests environmental and social modifications to enhance dignity, such as personalising spaces, supporting mobility, and addressing unmet needs.

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

This resource outlines how digital health technologies, including telehealth, electronic medication management, and My Health Record, can improve healthcare delivery. It focuses on enhancing communication, reducing readmissions, and providing better access to care, especially in remote areas.

This resource explains the legal requirements and processes for obtaining informed consent for medical treatments, procedures, and care. It is relevant to aged care by ensuring that people understand their healthcare options, risks, and benefits, supporting their ability to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

This guide covers managing medical records in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). It describes different practitioner models (solo, practice-based, aged care-specific) and provides standards for record-keeping, sharing notes, and maintaining clinical governance. The guide suggests methods for transferring medical information to RACF staff, including printing, electronic sharing, and handover notes.

This You Tube video emphasises the importance of communication for people in aged care, especially those with impairments. It advocates using varied methods, such as gestures and expressions, to make sure everyone can connect meaningfully, supporting dignity and autonomy.

This resource provides a register of conformant clinical software products that meet national digital health requirements, enabling functions like My Health Record access, health summary uploads, and prescription management. Organisations using the register should verify entries’ currency and accuracy as updates depend on software developers.

This resource provides guidance on ensuring informed consent in healthcare settings. It outlines legal, ethical, and professional requirements for obtaining consent, supports person-centred care, and ensures compliance with Australian healthcare standards. It highlights the importance of providing accurate information about interventions and alternatives, ensuring people have sufficient knowledge of potential risks and benefits. 

This resource discusses age-related communication changes, covering sensory, speech, language, and cognitive adjustments. It offers strategies for improving communication, such as using hearing aids, choosing quiet settings, and involving speech pathologists, helping older people and their families maintain effective and enjoyable communication.

This resource explains supported decision-making, a process that helps people retain control over choices in their lives, even with cognitive challenges. It outlines how aged care providers can support people’s decisions, providing information in accessible formats and respecting autonomy, as endorsed by national and international rights frameworks.

This resource provides information on aged care rights, including guidance on self-advocacy and accessing support. It offers resources, free educational sessions, and access to advocates for assistance with government-funded aged care services, empowering people to address concerns and understand their entitlements.

This resource provides an overview of Australia’s approach to addressing the abuse of older people, including the National Plan, specialist services, awareness campaigns, and legal reforms. It aims to increase awareness, support prevention efforts, and offer accessible resources for those experiencing or at risk of abuse.

This resource addresses balancing privacy and safety for older people using technology in aged care. It highlights the importance of making sure surveillance technology supports independent living while respecting personal dignity, and it explores considerations for safety and privacy in care settings.

This resource highlights the importance of maintaining dignity for older people in aged care, focusing on how technology use can impact their sense of autonomy and respect. It advises service providers to make sure technological solutions enhance care quality without compromising the dignity of those receiving care.

The Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy 2024–2029 outlines a framework for leveraging data and digital innovation to improve aged care services. It focuses on enhancing care delivery, reducing administrative burdens, and empowering older people through better access to information and services. The strategy supports collaboration across the aged care sector and promotes continual improvement through digital transformation.