Resource Library

You, your friends and family have a right to know how your residential aged care service is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed some common questions that you can ask your service provider during this time.

The Department of Health, in partnership with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission), is introducing a service compliance rating system for residential aged care services.

About the Service Compliance Rating

The rating system was developed in consultation with stakeholders, including senior Australians, their caregivers, aged care providers, and a range of peak bodies.

The Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19 (the Code) sets out the aged care industry’s expectations of conduct for aged care providers on how to support residents being able to have visitors while also keeping them safe and protected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

States and Territories have established directions giving effect to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s recommendation that visitors and staff (including visiting workers) should not be permitted to enter a residential aged care facility, if they have not been vaccinated against influenza (after 1st May 2020).  

Residential aged care facilities may wish to display the attached poster at entrances, to alert anyone entering the facility of these flu vaccination requirements. 

These posters have been developed to supplement the CDNA National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health Management of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities in Australia.

The CDNA guidelines include a flow chart for managing COVID-19 in residential facilities. The posters take this flow chart and present it in a way that may be easier for facilities to see what they need to do for their particular circumstances.

Six steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care.

If you’re thinking of prescribing these medicines to manage the behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia, follow these 6 steps.

This fact sheet provides information on a Direction, which can be issued by the Commission to a provider.

The World Health Organisation has declared the coronavirus is a pandemic.
 
The Department of Health has prepared factsheets, including for aged care staff, residents and families to assist in control of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID19). It is strongly recommended that you read these factsheets and revisit them every day or two because they will be updated as new information becomes available.

What are psychotropic medications? 

Psychotropic medications are ‘any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions and behaviour'

The three main classes of psychotropics prescribed are antidepressants, anxiolytic/hypnotics (mostly benzodiazepines to manage anxiety and insomnia) and antipsychotics. Other psychotropic classes include anticonvulsants and stimulants. 

The purpose of this report is to describe the key themes and findings from online surveys of aged care consumers and aged care providers, regarding best practice models for engagement between consumers and providers.

As part of its responsibilities for protecting and enhancing the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of aged care consumers, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has identified and developed a range of best practice strategies and tools for providers of aged care to engage with consumers and their representatives.

To inform this piece of work, we have undertaken a literature review of co-design and consumer engagement.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has identified and developed a range of best practice strategies and tools for providers of aged care to engage with consumers and their representatives.

This resource recognises that placing consumers at the centre of their care is fundamental to quality care outcomes. This means significantly deepening engagement and developing a mutual partnership with consumers in all aspects of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care and services.

The rights of consumers are protected by a Charter of Aged Care Rights. Download this helpful booklet for aged care service providers and their consumers.

This resource is not available to order on the Commission's website. Hard copies of the English version of the booklet are available at no cost from National Mailing and Marketing.

RB 2020-10 This Regulatory Bulletin covers the registration requirements and process for quality assessors, including information on why registration may be cancelled by the Commission.

Under the Aged Care Quality Standards, the organisation’s governing body is accountable for the delivery of safe and quality care and services. This includes consideration of leadership, organisational culture, consumer engagement, organisation wide governance, risk management and clinical governance.

This webinar will help you to understand your regulatory and legislative obligations.

Listen to Hazel Hawke’s daughter Sue Pieters-Hawke talk in this short video about the effect that reducing her mother’s medication had on her quality of life.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission handles a range of complaints every day. Some of these complaint issues can be handled solely by us, while others may need to be referred to another organisation.

There are a number of organisations we refer complaint information to when required:

Under section 9-1 of the Aged Care Act 1997 approved providers are required to notify the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner of any change of circumstance that materially affects their suitability to be a provider of aged care. 

This guide is intended to assist organisations and their key personnel to complete an application for approval to provide aged care.

Aged Care Quality Standards Storyboards - downloadable storyboard resources to assist consumers and staff to understand the Quality Standards.