Lasa Autumn 2014

The voice of all aged services Autumn 2014 | www.lasa.asn.au

Aged Care Industry I.T Council Launch – Harnessing ICT to create

sustainable aged care services Aged Care Financial Performance Survey Sundale:

A real community partnership for 50 years

Privacy Reform: What it means for you?

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The voice of all aged services Autumn 2014 | www.lasa.asn.au

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National Update 5 7 8 10 12 13 14

CEO Report Chair Report SA Report NSW-ACT Report VIC Report QLD Report WA Report

GENERAL 17 Man about town 18 Out & About App

23 Is equity release the answer to meeting the cost of aged care?

27 Are assistive technologies a panacea for age services?

30 Sundale 37 Specialist Palliative care and advance care planning advisory service project 38 Privacy Reforms 40 Does applying building laws seem confusing?

EDITOR Justine Caines National Government Relations and Communications Manager PRODUCTION Jacqueline Murkins Projects Manager, LASA

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44 Technology Systems 47 Obesity and weight stigma in aged care 51 Aged care I.T council launches vision for aged care 53 Aged care financial performance survey – June 2013 73 Calendar of Events 74 Capital news 76 Product news

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LASA Federal Patrick Reid CEO Unit 4, 21 Torrens Street Braddon ACT 2612 E: patrickr@lasa.asn.au

LASA Victoria John Begg CEO Level 7, 71 Queens Road Melbourne VIC 3004 E: johnb@vic.lasa.asn.au

LASA WA Beth Cameron CEO Suite 6, 11 Richardson Street, South Perth WA 6151 E: ceo@wa.lasa.asn.au

Advertising Melbourne: Adelaide:

Neil Muir (03) 9758 1433 Robert Spowart 0488 390 039

LASA NSW/ACT Charles Wurf CEO PO Box 7 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 E: Charles.wurf@nswact.lasa.asn.au

LASA SA Paul Carberry CEO Unit 5, 259 Glen Osmond Road Frewville SA 5063 E: ceo@sa.lasa.asn.au

LASA QLD Barry Ashcroft CEO PO Box 995 Indooroopilly QLD 4068 E: barry.ashcroft@qld.lasa.asn.au

Production Emily Wallis

(03) 9758 1436

Administration Robyn Fantin (03) 9758 1431

DISCLAIMER Fusion is the regular publication of Leading Age Services Australia (LASA). Unsolicited contributions are welcome but LASA reserves the right to edit, abridge, alter or reject

material. Opinions expressed in Fusion are not necessarily those of LASA and no responsibility is accepted by the Association for statements of fact or opinions expressed in signed contributions.

Fusion may be copied in whole for distributed amongst an organisation’s staff. No part of Fusion may be reproduced in any other form without written permission from the article’s author.

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National Update | 5

Report from the CEO LASA: Taking the lead in policy and advocacy Patrick Reid Chief Executive Officer | Leading Age Services Australia

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he climate in Canberra is interesting. As we move closer to the budget and the expectation of very lean times we learn that West Australians will go back to polls to determine their Senate representatives on April 5. This places the government in an interesting position. While many speculate on the outcome the result is not likely to improve the Government’s position in the Senate; making the passage of legislation tenuous.

Tony Abbott has recently remarked on one of the lessons learnt

by Julia Gillard; the electorate is unforgiving when promises are revoked. There has been considerable movement from September 2013 to late March where the Prime Minister is facing greater questioning regarding clear promises in relation to maintaining funding in health, education and welfare. The timing of this by election could not be welcome by the government. After all the disputed result was only the last two Senate spots, but now all six are up for grabs.

While all the politicking and postulation takes place, National Office continues to bring thinking back to earth. In recent weeks we have developed a briefing document for members regarding the legislative changes due on July 1. We continue to advocate via the department and parliament that there is not time for implementation and importantly re-enforce the importance of operational and systems changes, and particularly the time this takes for our members to enact.

In response to the Abbott Governments ‘Open for Business’ approach and commitment to red tape reduction LASA was surprised to see unnecessary complication in the new process for accommodation pricing. LASA will continue to advocate for streamlined compliance that enhances transparency and quality without burdensome red tape.

Looking forward, I am pleased to announce LASA’s first national policy forum. Thought leaders from all areas of service delivery and organisational type will join with LASA Directors and staff to create the first of what will be an annual industry wide agenda setting event. This is another example of LASA’s proactive policy approach.

Recently I attended the official re-opening of Domain Principle’s Quakers Hill Nursing Home. While we will not forget the tragedy of so many lives lost I applaud Chairman Pat Grier and Managing Director Gary Barnier and their team for taking such a positive step in rebuilding a state-of-the-art facility. The new facility will house 27 more residents, has three times greater communal and leisure space and a 16 bed dedicated dementia wing.

The Aged Care Industry IT Council (ACIITC) an entity co-owned by LASA, recently launched an Informational and Communications Technology (ICT) vision for aged care, Digital Care Services: Harnessing ICT to create sustainable aged care services. The launch, held in Parliament House was very successful attended by 90 from across industry, bureaucracy and parliamentarians; officially launched by Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews.

The message of the vision is clear, we need to act now.

LASA has already started related advocacy with politicians elected in regional areas. LASA is committed to practical measures to support our regional members. Enhancing ICT capability not only impacts on the health and wellness of older Australians (with particular advantage in rural areas) it also has the ability to greatly reduce red tape and free up our valuable staff to do what they do best-care. www.aciitc.com.au/it-vision/ Outside of policy development and political advocacy the team have been working hard to develop a congress program of prominence. Abstracts for LASA Congress 2014 close on April 14. We look forward to bringing you the very best from across the country and the globe. This year Congress will establish the much needed conversation on ageing with our very own Q and A hosted

by Tony Jones (From ABC TV’s Q and A) Adelaide is certainly the place to be, come October (20-22). The Congress website provides the latest information www.lasacongress.asn.au. At full capacity our office is still busy; it is however, rewarding to know our work continues to keep members informed and aware and that our presence keeps the issues facing providers’ forefront in the minds of our most senior decision makers. ■

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National Update | 7

Message from the Chair Marcus Riley Deputy Chair, LASA

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n behalf of the National Board of LASA and our membership I extend our most sincere congratulations to Gen Peter Cosgrove on his appointment to Governor-General of Australia.

Peter is an iconic Australian who has served our nation on many levels with great distinction and we know he will make a fine Governor-General and we applaud Prime Minister Abbott on the appointment.

As LASA’s inaugural chairman, Peter provided tremendous wisdom and leadership and guided the organisation through the critical formation stage and beyond. Peter demonstrated a commitment and passion for supporting older Australians, the age service providers who are LASA’s members and ultimately the industry as a whole. I join with all LASA staff and our Board in wishing Peter and his wife Lynne the very best in their new roles and assure them of our support.

LASA’s leading role in the development and modification of policy and advocacy as the voice of industry is firmly established.

Recently LASA Board representatives joined CEO Patrick Reid in, welcoming Aged Care Finance Authority Chair Lynda O’Grady and other members of ACFA to LASA’s office. This added to the numerous meetings held every week with Government and other agencies in the interests of members, capitalising on the expertise of LASA staff across the nation to advocate effectively.

Recently your LASA representatives played an active role in the ongoing development of the Specified Care and Services Schedule. Additionally, LASA’s advocacy continues to ensure the workforce supplement funding is delivered to workers in a meaningful way and without extra burden to providers. The office has also developed a briefing paper on Accommodation Pricing followed with advocacy to government and key parliamentarians.

Recently LASA also developed documentation to assist providers to understand impacts on legislative change proposed for July 1 2014. As a provider I understand the need to plan for proposed

change to ensure systems can adapt and support our activities through a transitional period and beyond. We will continue to provide members with up to date information through our electronic member communication issued from LASA state offices.

Our CEO Patrick Reid has celebrated his first year in the position – a period that has been dominated by Government reform. Patrick has made a stellar contribution to LASA during the past twelve months, carving a reputation as a leader of influence across the industry and establishing respect from external stakeholders,. We look forward to Patrick’s continued leadership as we traverse the windy road of legislative reform. LASA has established itself as the industry voice, with numerous examples of taking the policy and advocacy lead. I credit this to the dedication and skill of LASA personnel across the country and importantly the input and support of members.

We very much look forward to LASA’s inaugural policy forum on 2 April in Melbourne where we will draw on the input of key influencers to develop a set of external policy positions.

The participants have been comprised from state contacts in all sectors (Residential, Community and Retirement) and will comprise the special interest areas in which our members operate.

This event is intended to be the first State of the Nation address developed with assistance from KPMG’s Henry Cutler.

From here on in it will be a twice yearly thought provoking forecast of the industry. The first forum will focus on core policy areas such as; Labour Market/ workforce; Quality; Business/ Governance; Access; Social Compact; Housing etc.

It is anticipated that the next edition of Fusion will introduce LASA’s new Independent Chair. Whilst, there will only ever be one Peter Cosgrove our recruitment process has begun and we are committed to appointing a high-calibre Chairperson to help lead our association. The career path is now set for aspiring candidates – LASA Chairman one day then Governor General the next!. ■

8 | National Update

South Australia Report Paul Carberry Chief Executive Officer | LASA SA

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he 1st July 2014, will mark the beginning of a new era for aged care services.

The reforms to consumer means testing for care contributions and the requirement for clients who have the means to pay for their own accommodation will have a profound effect on the commercial and competitive environment in which aged services operate.

These moves to greater consumer choice and increased user payments will place greater pressures on all providers. Consumers will expect more for the increased financial contribution they are required to make.

In the short to medium term this will impact most heavily on residential providers, who will be exposed to a greater level of competition from a number of directions.

Firstly, there will be increased competition between residential providers. All providers will have to advertise their prices and their service and accommodation offerings. So consumers will be able to easily compare different services.

But it won’t just be greater competition between residential providers.

The number of home care packages will increase dramatically over the next few years, from around 60,000 now to more than 100,000 by 2018.

So, many more people will be able to remain at home on care packages and that will weaken the demand for residential care.

The residential sector will still grow, but it will grow more slowly than home care.

And, on top of this, the price of accessing residential care will increase, relative to the price of home care.

Take the example of a self-funded retiree with assessed assets of $600,000 and income of $46,000.

In home care only their income will be means tested and, on $46,000 they will pay $17.60 care contribution plus a basic daily fee of $9.39. A total of $26.99 per day.

If they move to residential care, both their assets and their income will be means tested. In the above example this person will pay a care contribution of $51.29 plus a basic daily fee of $45.63 per day. A total of $96.92 per day more, or an additional $25,424 more over a full year.

On top of that, they will be required to pay for their accommodation in the form of a refundable deposit, a daily payment, or some combination of the two.

This large jump in costs will cause many care recipients and their families to look closely at other options.

It will create new opportunities for serviced apartment operators who can offer this well-off group high-quality accommodation, assistive technology to monitor and support the occupants, and in home care packages with the option of purchasing additional services when needed.

So, because of the above factors, more than ever before residential providers will need to give priority to the effective marketing of their services, including their websites, their relationships with local hospitals and GPs and the sales skills of their staff. â–

10 | National Update

NSW-ACT Report Charles Wurf Chief Executive Officer | LASA NSW-ACT

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ometimes intelligent people need to be dragged kicking and screaming to a make a rational decision. While this can be frustrating, on occasion it can also be understood, for making decisions which will impact on the future viability of an organisation, or have consequences for many employees, often with limited available information, is a burden for the conscientious.

Governments can also have a tendency for procrastination and obfuscation, and clearly the burdens of responsibility fall on ministers and department heads. But Governments must be held to a high level of account, and make decisions which provide

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clarity to both individuals and industries. For Governments are elected to make difficult decisions, and to achieve this they have access to superior information, resources, and advice.

Much was said and written in recent years about the previous Government and to their approach and engagement with the age services industry. In some quarters the former Government was criticised as being adept at providing short deadlines for feedback, and also making far-reaching decisions which required many in the industry to react overly quickly to address change.

It was in this climate that the Living Longer, Living Better package was conceived and delivered. Now, with the package nearing its first birthday since its passage through the Parliament, the industry is still trying to make sense of some of its consequences.

Of particular focus for the industry in this first half of 2014 is how to best approach accommodation pricing and accommodation payments. LASA NSW-ACT has undertaken Member Seminars with the goal of providing clarity to members so they are best prepared to meet their obligations come 1 July.

These Member Seminars have canvassed a range of subjects directly related to accommodation pricing and accommodation payments including higher accommodation supplements for newly built and significantly refurbished services, accommodation pricing both up to and above the maximum of $550,000, the application process to the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner, asset and income testing, RAD/DAP – lump sum payment and daily equivalent, and extra service fees.

The large attendance at the Member Seminars demonstrates the need for knowledge, and again the lack of information and tight timelines which have been part of the roll-out of the Living Longer, Living Better package.

Since the announcement of the first Abbott Ministry there has been a curiosity to how ministers Andrews and Fifield would implement, amend, or potentially change the age services regime they inherited from the former Government.

While opinions might vary to their best course of action, there is little doubt that there is a cautionary tale from the Rudd and Gillard Governments: that the industry will work with Government to implement appropriate and necessary reform, and that change needs to be accompanied with information, education, and responsible timelines. â–

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12 | National Update

victoria Report LASA Victoria Webinar Series: Our journey into the world of online training Ingrid Williams President | LASA VIC

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ASA Victoria’s membership is widely spread across the State, with approximately 44 per cent of our members located in rural or regional Victoria. As a provider of training solutions for the industry, we continue to find the delivery of these services to regional areas challenging. Finding the right location to allow for ease of access for remote members can be difficult, but is essential to keeping costs down and minimising the time spent accessing training.

Since 2010, our annual membership survey has informed us that members struggle with accessibility to LASA Victoria training courses, and that they want similar access to those who are able to attend our metropolitan workshops.

LASA Victoria wanted to come up with a solution to reach regional members with the same quality training, without lengthy travel times and to ensure we continued to address their training needs.

We also realised that there was a group of metropolitan based participants who found it difficult to attend training because of their busy schedules; especially at the senior management level.

Our solution is to utilise online training technology to implement a ‘webinar’ series for a selected range of our workshops.

To progress the project, we surveyed members about online training and set up a ‘webinar team’ to address any concerns raised and further develop the product. Key themes of the project are: interactivity, engagement, support, flexibility and accessibility.

The project has also included the development of user guides, an emphasis on interactivity in delivery and ensuring regional and interstate members can access the training.

What is a Webinar?

A webinar is an interactive online training program. It takes the same high quality training principles from our face-to-face sessions online; allowing participants to access training from the comfort of their own home or office.

Distinct from a webcast, a webinar provides an opportunity for interaction for participants and the facilitator.

Webinars are a viable training option for those who might miss out on the face-to-face training offered by LASA Victoria because of their regional or interstate location and/or time and financial limitations.

Webinars offer the same benefits of attending face-to-face training, although you do miss out on a catered lunch, including:

• Interaction with the facilitator and fellow participants • The opportunity to ask questions and engage in the content • Printable resources.

We are also exploring how our webinars can provide networking opportunities to participants.

The benefits of Webinars Benefits of online training to the participants: • Quality – same as face-to-face training, Webinars are a truly viable training option that engage the audience and consider adult learning principles • Cost – huge training savings for participants, as well as no costs for travel and accommodation • Flexibility and Accessibility – complete the training anywhere • Support from LASA Victoria – user guides, practice sessions and technical support provided.

Benefits of online training to the training organisation: • Ability to access more members (particularly those who we might not have been able to access with regional face-toface training) • Faster transmission of knowledge (especially important when changes are made and we need to update our members, such as Aged Care reforms).

The LASA Victoria Webinar Program Our Webinar series offers participants the flexibility to complete training from any location; all you need is a computer, an internet connection and headset (with microphone).

LASA Victoria is offering the following training programs via Webinar from January – June 2014; accessible from anywhere in Australia: • Tuesday 4 March – Accommodation bonds: Prudential Arrangement • Thursday 13 and 20 March – ACFI Basics (2 days) • Thursday 13 and 20 March – ACFI Advanced (2 days) • Tuesday 1 April – Aged care reforms: Who pays, how much, when, and why?

• Monday 5 May – Residential fees and charges: The basics If you would like more information about our webinar project or our webinar training series, please contact LASA Victoria Training on 03 9805 9400 or training@vic.lasa.asn.au ■

National Update | 13

Queensland Report Barry Ashcroft Chief Executive Officer | LASA QLD

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ne of the key priorities for LASA Q in this first quarter of 2014 is the LASA Q State Conference 2014 – Better Ageing Game On!, to be held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from Tuesday 8 April through to Friday 11 April 2014.

The concept for this year’s conference is based on the idea of ‘playing the game’ – using the game of Monopoly as a key theme, and whilst this is a purposefully light-hearted approach, it is also unfortunately emblematic of the circumstances our industry is enduring.

Frankly, LASA Q believes that the provision of age services should not be a game of chance, and yet for many age services providers and suppliers the parody of empty community chests and being unable to pass go and/or collect $200 dollars are the realities of under-funding, industry over-regulation and red-tape restriction.

Preceding the conference (proper) is a one day Enhancement Seminar comprising a Clinical Workshop, a Retirement Living Symposium, and a Consumer Directed Care Ready Series Workshop; scheduled to run concurrently and designed to provide information and insight and engage delegates on very specific topics.

Then in keeping with the ‘game’ theme, LASA Q has coordinated a comprehensive, informative and interactive 3 day conference program that will see industry professionals and practitioners come together to discuss the ageing game, what it may look like in the future, and the rules, regulations, tactics, strategies and skills players will need to remain viable, competitive and successful.

Under the following specifically themed program sessions, conference goers can expect to: • Be updated on what’s happening in the age services sector here and overseas, and discover where the future markets and opportunities lie... The Game.

• Learn about the new quality agency and be brought up to speed on IR and HR changes affecting the industry...

Playing By the Rules.

• Hear from respected professionals on effective crisis, media and communications and complaints management strategies and practices…Get Out (and Stay Out) of Jail.

• Rethink their ‘game plans and strategies’ and review their methods for measuring success... Competition and Success.

• Consider their marketing and communications activities and organisational profile, and gain insight into what makes a successful marketing campaign... The PR Machine.

• I mmerse themselves in the technologies of today and be guided in engaging their workforce to embrace innovation for successful service delivery... Enhancing Performance.

• Better appreciate and meet the needs of ageing Australians from culturally, socially and medically diverse backgrounds...

Playing Nicely with Others.

• Understand the policy direction of age services moving forward and how LASA Q can support them in the year ahead... Let the Games Begin.

With a lot of early interest already received from delegates and exhibitors alike, this year’s conference is shaping up to be a gold medal event not to be missed. ■

14 | National Update

WESTERN Australia Report LASA WA – Vote #1 Aged Care Beth Cameron Chief Executive Officer | LASA WA

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n September last year, Western Australian Senate ballots were counted in a big, paper filled room at our local race track Ascot – home to the glorious Perth Cup. I am sure that anyone would rather watch races than shuffle 1.3 million enormous pieces of paper around for weeks on end. When voters find one Senate ballot paper totally impractical to manage, it’s not hard to see that 1400 or so votes could be accidentally lost.

A probe was launched, led by ex. Australian Federal Police’s Mick Keelty. Mr Keelty found no evidence of any deliberate action to destroy or remove ballot papers, and recommended that CCTV be put in place for future elections. Also: no confusing recycling bins should be placed near votes; ballots shouldn’t be so darn big; and staff shouldn’t be put under so much pressure to announce results quickly.

The Australian Electoral Commission apologised profusely to Western Australians, then proceeded to the High Court where the Court of Disputed Returns declared the 2013 Western Australian Senate election result void.

Using our favourite measure from LASA’s 3 million reasons campaign, 24,000 more Australians have joined the over 65 age bracket since the September election. Despite this, only three of the 27 parties (and one independent) that ran for the WA senate have a stated policy on aged care.

With key issues like shark culling taking centre stage in Western Australia at the moment, it will be hard for aged care to get a good look in.

But let’s face it, we haven’t seen a lot of good for aged care come out of this government yet. The workforce supplement money still hasn’t been returned, and the ‘open for business’ approach we were promised seems to have been lost in the creation of a swathe of pricing regulation. Action is expected once the Commission of Audit is released, which may not be until the May budget. So will Western Australians be asked to vote on a platform of more promises, or will there be action taken now to prove to WA voters that such promises will actually result in change?

Or will we be distracted with shark debates while elderly Western Australians and their families grapple to understand DAP’s, RAD’s and CDC. Aged care desperately needs attention and action by the federal government. Key issues for WA providers for this election period include: Removing the bias toward daily payments in the current legislation.

This presents a significant threat to current business models, and will result in a number of businesses no longer being viable.

Seeing the Workforce Supplement funding returned to the sector.

Providing certainty around the Aged Care Approvals Round process.

Simplifying aged care regulation, reporting and communication; removing red tape and duplication. Returning to the recommendations of the Productivity Commission.

Streamlining Home Care, Veterans Home Care and even funding for disabilities and ensuring that Home Care packages provided by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs are properly funded, allowing Veterans the choice of care granted to Australians receiving mainstream Home Care packages.

Seeing WA represented on all key aged care advisory committees.

Will Clive Palmer get a third senate seat and the Australian Sports Party hold on to its only seat? In order to achieve its promised reforms, every Senate seat will count for the Abbott government. The West Australian media is stating today that the election will be a knife edge ballot, perhaps sharp as a shark tooth.

Too close to call. Here’s hoping whoever gets elected will commit to make the changes we need across age services. ■

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General | 17

Man about town: Offering social opportunities to men in residential care

By Cassie Wells - Benetas

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n urgent need to offer more social opportunities to men in residential aged care has seen Benetas develop a men’s group with a twist.

‘Man About Town’, run out of Benetas Corowa Court in Mornington, gives male residents the opportunity to socialise with each other outside of the female-dominated facility. Every second Tuesday eight male residents board the Benetas bus, along with two volunteers and a staff member, to head off on what regular member Laurie refers to only as “secret men’s business!”.

The concept was initially developed after staff realised that many male residents had limited interest in participating in some facility-run excursions, such as shopping and markets. Staff also heard male residents speak of past hobbies, interests and destinations they had enjoyed in the community setting to which they no longer had access.

The need for the program also stemmed from research indicating that older men in residential aged care are at greater risk of social isolation than their female counterparts. While it is well known that older people are at significant risk of social isolation due to their changing physical and emotional needs, the onset of disability and illness and many more contributing factors, men are at far greater risk.

Australian statistics1 show that men are generally outnumbered by women in residential facilities, both by residents and staff, and this is particularly evident in smaller facilities. As an example, at Benetas’ 44-bed facility in Melbourne’s inner-east, there are 44 residents, four of who are male. The resulting lifestyle programs generally cater for the majority, which is why innovative programs and opportunities for male residents are critical to their sense of self and wellbeing, and urgently needed.

Benetas’ Innovation, Policy and Research Manager Dr Amee Morgans said that creating innovative social inclusion opportunities for older Victorians has always been a priority for the organisation.

“With a changing landscape of social inclusion shifting the onus onto community service providers to take the lead on creating opportunities for those most vulnerable in our society, Benetas has invested heavily in educating and empowering staff to better respond,” said Dr Morgans. “The Man About Town program is a clear example of this.”

“Benetas has a vision of positive ageing, which means that ageing in a residential facility can and should be a positive experience,” said Dr Morgans. “In the context of an ageing population, it is becoming more and more important to provide opportunities that cater for and respond to the interests of older Victorians.”

Long time Benetas volunteer and Man About Town facilitator John said the program had already significantly improved the wellbeing of participants. “The bonds and relationships between the men are getting better and they look forward to going out and enjoying

themselves,” said John. “As time goes on they are socialising and talking more and more.”

Benetas Corowa Court Community Coordinator Darlene Day said the program responded to the specific interests of group members, and presented vital opportunities for members to participate in the community.

“In the two months since the program has been running, the members of Man About Town have enjoyed six trips, including a visit to the HMAS Cerberus, trips to Bunnings and Masters, and a drive, picnic and ‘chat’ at scenic hot spots along the Mornington Peninsula,” said Darlene. “They’ve even been to their local pub in Mornington for ‘a parma and a pot’.”

The program can cater for up to 12 residents of varying levels of independence. Currently, two regular participants who are vision impaired and have few social connections attend, along with one resident who currently lives in Corowa’s Memory Support Unit.

The group has continued to grow since its inception and feedback has been positive. Members tend to speak most fondly about spending time together as a group of men, with participant Larry commenting, “It’s great to get out and about with the lads!”

Dr Morgans says that with upcoming trips planned for the local Mornington CFA and the Tyabb Air Strip, the group shows no signs of slowing down. “What started as a three month trial at Benetas Corowa Court, has already resulted in a similar group running at Benetas Lovell House in Caulfield North,” said Dr Morgans. “Plans are also underway to extend the program across more Benetas sites and community offices in Victoria.” ■ For more information about Benetas go to www.benetas.com.au

References 1. Australian Government Productivity Commission. (2014). Report on Government Services. Retrieved on 24 February 2014 from: http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/ pdf_file/0016/132352/rogs-2014-volumef-chapter13.pdf

18 | General

Out & About App

By Charisse Ede - Villa Maria

General | 19

S

o many of us take it for granted that we can make a spontaneous decision to visit a café, go to a movie or for a walk in a park.

For people with mobility limitations, hearing and vision impairments or a disability, making these snap decisions just hasn’t been an option.

Until now. Villa Maria, one of Victoria’s largest aged care and disability services providers, has developed a useful tool to help people find accessible venues and events with the touch of a finger.

Out & About – Accessing your community is an Australian first app that allows users to find, suggest, rate and review accessible venues and events. It aims to make it easier for carers and those with a disability or mobility limitation to plan a day out. They can quickly see if a café has wheelchair access or accessible toilets, a movie theatre has a hearing loop or a park has suitable walking tracks, for instance.

Disability advocate Liz Kelly understands the difficulty of finding somewhere with appropriate access all too well. While planning a recent birthday celebration, Ms Kelly spent three hours on her computer searching for venues able to accommodate wheelchair users. Seeking accessible venues for work functions or meetings is also a challenge.

Ms Kelly says the app gives people with mobility limitations spontaneity. “With the app they can be independent, impromptu and adventurous, because they have got the information at their fingertips,” she says.

Villa Maria’s Executive Manager Marketing Rebecca Ryan says almost 20 per cent of the population have a disability and 12 per cent are carers, so planning a day out can be difficult because many essential places are inaccessible to those with limited mobility.

“The Out & About app puts information people need into the palm of their hand,” she says.

“People can use the Out & About app before they leave home or when they’re out and about, so they can easily find accessible

20 | General

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activities and venues, things like parks, toilets, cafés, shops or leisure and entertainment venues.

Unlike static websites that list accessible venues, the app is location-based. This enables users to look up accessible venues or events that are nearby, similar to TripAdvisor.

“It’s a community-powered platform where people can suggest venues for inclusion and rate them by answering a couple of easy questions. They can also look out for the top rating venues, which receive a highly recommended ribbon,” Ms Ryan said.

Since its launch in December the app has been downloaded more than 1,500 times – an average of 20 a day – with 17 downloads from the United States of America, 11 from the United Kingdom, six from China and two from Singapore.

General | 21

More than 1,000 venues and events are now listed on the app and more are constantly being added. While many of the venues and events listed are in metropolitan Melbourne, rural and regional local government areas in Victoria and interstate organisations have expressed interest in including venues and events.

Yarra Bend Golf in inner Melbourne is one of the many businesses listed. It has recently opened an accessible Adventure Golf course, believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.

Business development manager Dayle Marshall said the app was a wonderful tool for everyone.

“When I first learnt about it I thought, ‘wow, this is terrific’,” she said. “I will use it a lot personally, as well as for our business.”

The app was launched with a Family Fun Day at Albert Park last December, where the theme was accessibility for all. The

event gave people with mobility limitations and disabilities the chance to experience life as it should be - 100 per cent accessible.

From the free activities at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and the two kilometre All Abilities Walk around the lake to the toilets and parking, there were no barriers to participation.

Villa Maria is planning to make the day an annual event, with the next scheduled for November this year.

The app is available for iPhone and Villa Maria hopes to develop an Android version in 2014 to make it accessible to all devices. Updates to the app are also planned to improve the user experience.

The app is available free from the App Store or via the links at http://outandaboutapp.com.au ■

General | 23

Is equity release the answer to meeting the cost of aged care?

By Rachel Lane, Principal of Aged Care Gurus

T

here is a lot of talk at the moment about including the family home in the assessable assets for pension entitlement. The Productivity Commission made a number of recommendations about assessing the value of people’s home for the ability to fund aged care costs, including the establishment of a government back home equity release scheme. These recommendations didn’t form part of the Living Longer, Living Better Reforms and don’t appear to be part of the coalition’s plans for aged care reform either. That is not to say that accessing the equity in the family home is not a viable way to fund the cost of aged care.

The idea of utilising the equity in your home to fund retirement and aged care costs is not a new one. There are a number of different ways people can release equity in their home: sell a share to a financial institution, sell a share to a private buyer (family member or through an investment vehicle) or borrow money against the value of the home without the need to make re-payments, this is commonly known as a reverse mortgage.

Reverse Mortgages are the most well-known vehicle for releasing equity from the family home. Reverse Mortgages enable the borrower to withdraw either a lump sum, regular payment or a combination based on the value of the home and the age of the youngest borrower. The older you are the more you can borrow. Unlike a normal mortgage where you need the asset to borrow against and the income to meet repayments, payments are not required to be made until the end of the contract (normally on death of the borrower or sale of the home). This doesn’t mean that reverse mortgages cost the same as a normal mortgage, generally the interest rates are higher, the amount you can borrow is lower and because payments are not being made the level of debt increases at a much faster rate as you end up paying interest on interest.

As at December 2012 more than 42,000 Australians had a reverse mortgage with total borrowings of around $3.5bn.

Under the current system when someone uses a reverse mortgage to fund the purchase of an accommodation bond the net effect of the transaction is zero – they are borrowing against an asset that is exempt from their pension and ongoing cost of care (their former home) to purchase an asset that is exempt from their pension and their ongoing cost of care (their accommodation bond). Of course, if they wish to keep the exemption on their home indefinitely

and/or rent it they still need to pay a periodic payment on part of their bond and rent their former home.

With the changes to the way the cost of care is calculated from 1 July reverse mortgages may have an important role to play in enabling residents to fund their costs. A Reverse mortgage can be taken as a lump sum or a regular payment, whether a resident will choose to use their home equity to fund their RAD or their DAP will depend on a number of factors including whether or not the borrowed funds are assessable for the care contribution.

The changes between the current accommodation bond and the new Refundable Accommodation Deposit mean that the amount of RAD a resident can pay is capped at the published price and the amount of RAD paid is included in the calculation of assets for the care contribution. These changes will mean that residents whose home is valued higher than their RAD will need to think long and hard about the pension, cash flow and aged care cost associated with selling the home as well as the lost opportunity for income (rent) and capital growth.

Let’s look at a case study to see how the different outcomes may influence a resident’s funding choices…

Case Study – Shirley Shirley is aged 85 and is widow. She currently receives the full age pension. She has a house valued at $800,000, Bank Accounts totalling $60,000 and Personal Effects worth $5,000.

The aged care facility Shirley would like to move to has a RAD of $350,000 RAD or DAP of $63.36p.d.

24 | General Shirley’s family have said that the house would require a significant amount of work to bring it up to a market rent standard, instead if it is retained they would like her grandson to live there and pay a modest rent ($100p.w) while looking after the property.

Alternatively, the house could be sold.

If Shirley sells her house to pay her RAD, her cost of care will be Sell House to pay RAD

Pay $320,000 RAD (reverse mortgage) and remainder ($30,000) by DAP Basic Daily Care Fee

$45.63

Daily Accommodation Payment $5.43 Care Contribution

$15.41

Out of Pockets

$10

Total

$27,835.08p.a

Basic Daily Care Fee

$45.63p.d

Care Contribution

$44.68p.d

Out of Pockets

$10p.d

Total

$36,512.84p.a

Pension

$563.47pfn/$14,650.22p.a

Interest (@4%)

$20,400p.a

Total

$35,050.22p.a

• • This assumes the borrowed funds are included in the care contribution,

Cash Flow

-$1,462.62

$1.79p.d/$651.56p.a.

As we can see, Shirley selling her house to pay her RAD has led to a reduction in her pension entitlement of around $6,854p.a, she has a cash flow shortfall that she will need to use some of her capital to meet and she has lost the opportunity to receive the rent from her home along with any capital growth that the home may have attracted.

If Shirley used a reverse mortgage to pay $320,000 towards her RAD paying the remaining $30,000 by DAP, her cost of care will be

$563.47pfn/$14,650.22p.a Pension

$827.10pfn/$21,504.60p.a

Interest (@4%)

$2,400p.a

Rent @ $100 p.w

$5,200p.a

Total

$29,104.60p.a

if the borrowed funds were exempt the care contribution would reduce to

In 4 years her debt would increase to around $420,600. If we assume growth on her house for the same period at 3.5%p.a, her net asset position is better off by around $22,500 in year 4 than if she sold her house.

An alternative for Shirley would be to pay a DAP and use a regular payment from a reverse mortgage to meet her cash flow needs.

Pay by DAP Basic Daily Care Fee

$45.63p.d

Daily Accommodation Payment $63.36p.d

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Care Contribution

$1.79p.d

Out of Pockets

$10p.d

Total

$43,963.92p.a $563.47pfn/$14,650.22p.a

Pension

$827.10pfn/$21,504.60p.a

Interest (@4%)

$2,400p.a

Rent @ $100p.w

$5,200p.a

Total

$29,104.60p.a

Cash Flow

-$14,859.32p.a

If Shirley borrowed $15,000 each year to fund her cash flow needs in 4 years her total debt would be around $74,700. In this case, assuming 3.5%p.a growth on her home, her net asset position compared with selling her former home would be around $43,000 better off.

Obviously there are a number of variables that can affect the outcomes for Shirley: the amount of rent she can receive from the home, costs associated with the house (including tax), changes to interest rates over the period and the opportunity for capital growth comes with the risk of capital loss. Drawing a reverse mortgage as a regular payment rather than a lump sum may save residents interest costs and if the borrowed funds are included in the care contribution reduce the level of assessable assets held. Operators may also prefer that residents utilise a reverse mortgage to meet RAD or DAP payments than pay a RAD from which the DAP is deducted and carry the risk of unsecured debt. ■

General | 25

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15/10/13 12:13 PM

General | 27

Are assistive technologies a panacea for age services?

By Tanya Newhouse, CEO, Clevertar (Speaker at the upcoming ITAC Conference)

Introduction

I

was speaking with an entrepreneur recently who was developing a wearable device for frail older people. This device could detect falls and then notify a third party when activated. I asked whether his team had begun their startup with ‘the technology’ – and then found a market application; in other words, whether the team had a generic technology and found a specific application for it. Or whether they’d started with ‘the market’ and then developed a technology to satisfy it?

And he said, ‘we began with the market need’.

Aged care is only just beginning to explore internet-based technologies for its consumer facing services. So far, aged care technology has been largely focused on the back-office for messaging and business administration, but the need to stretch the health dollar with assistive technologies for efficiency gains is obvious. The previous federal government awarded $20.6m for several pilot projects to take advantage of its NBN infrastructure, and recipients included CSIRO to investigate home monitoring for chronic disease for older people, Flinders University to assess telehealth at home for rehabilitation, palliative care and dementia, as well as Feros Care, Leading Age Services Australia, The Royal District Nursing Services, Uniquest, and Hunter New England Local Health District. It will be interesting to see the results of these studies in terms of reduced rate of hospitalisation and admission to residential care.

Unfortunately though, it looks like the industry is suffering a bit from ‘pilotitis’. There is a lot going on, but the question that providers ask is where to start when there is no dominant platform or tacit industry standard to be used as a yardstick? As a provider where would you begin with assistive technologies?

Let’s survey the technologies on the horizon.

Wearables Wearable technologies combine readily available hardware and software to create new devices for data collection based on the activities of the wearer. We all know about a watch that can track your sleep, but how about a bracelet that presses your wrist when your remote partner presses on theirs? Or an ear bud that detects your mood so that it plays the right music? In fact, the technology community is taking wearables extremely seriously.

Apple wants wearable technologies to be integrated with iPad and iPhone and its next operating system version, iOS 8, will include a feature called Healthbook to report on data collected, while Google continues to experiment with Glasses that can act like a

hands-free personal assistant. Both companies are reported to have visited the FDA recently, possibly seeking approval for new products as medical devices. Wearables connected to the internet could provide powerful monitoring data for the user and others who want to track progress and be alerted to potential concerns.

Telehealth Telehealth is about transmitting health information over distances, including images, data and voice, although for most, telehealth is about videoconferencing. This has the obvious potential to reduce on-site visits and therefore increase level of care at lower cost, yet it has not been widely adopted. A lack of infrastructure is probably the culprit here, with the freebie Skype rarely being up to the task. But where the connection is stable, pilot trials have indicated that consumers do like videoconferencing with a healthcare practitioner as long as this is for ‘additional’ appointments, not a replacement for face-to-face meetings. As a result, several proprietary services have entered the market, supported by the promise of high speed broadband to most Australians.

Meanwhile, other internet-enabled devices are currently being piloted for remote monitoring of health conditions, including scales for weight monitoring and cuffs for blood pressure etc. Similar to wearables, these devices could alert others to issues by providing remote monitoring and tracking over time.

Smart house Smart house technology and ‘the internet of everything’ are very hot in Silicon Valley. Earlier this year, Google acquired Nest Labs - a company that makes an app-controlled thermostat and smoke alarm – for $3.2 Billion. Presumably Google wants to predict your desired temperature like it predicts your search terms.

Of course, this means that your temperature data wouldn’t stay in your house. It would be transmitted to Google, and combined with other personal information, help you manage your life better (and possibly that of others if there was enough population information collected.) The company is great at providing free services - and this one could be a boon for older people to prevent the dangers of cold and heat. Add in motion detectors and microphones (to hear if the tap is left on) and a trusted partner will get a good idea about what is going on in the house. A sensor-controlled house, connected to the internet offers many opportunities to support independence - although it also poses many questions about privacy that are yet to be answered.

28 | General

Apps There are millions of apps available for smart mobile devices, and many seem trivial, or worse, addictive. However the beauty of apps is that they use readily available devices to do their job – in hardware that happens to be ideal for older people. A number of pilot projects have found that tablets work well for computer novices and people with dexterity issues because of their simple touch-based interface and easy portability. As well, game apps are great for older people. They are entertaining and engaging.

There have been a large number of research studies on how games can improve cognitive abilities and emotional health in elderly people. Game apps even enable social connection where it didn’t exist before. I’ve spoken to several people who tell me how a granddaughter is staying in touch with her grandfather through an ongoing game of scrabble (with a little chat on the side). These people are all slightly embarrassed that they connect through a game, but they know that it isn’t as intrusive as a phone call every day, and it’s fun.

Fortunately for consumers, apps will continue to become more focused and functional as Apple, Android and Microsoft devices become cheaper and more powerful.

Robots Robots are, of course, the holy grail of assistive technologies and could be designed to replace humans in providing care.

In fiction, they are often represented as intelligent, mobile and physically capable, and, by virtue of their humanlike manner, are ‘empathetic’ and likable. However, the present-day capabilities

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of robots are considerably more limited. Despite great amounts of research and corresponding media attention, robots typically only excel at single physical tasks or offer companionship and entertainment to a person— something that can often be achieved by other, much less costly means. Unfortunately, the affordable, all-purpose robot for nursing care that is safe and reliable won’t be available for perhaps several decades. In the meantime, ongoing advances in robotics may contribute to improving a range of task-specific assistive technologies, such as helping people into wheelchairs or monitoring wellbeing.

Barriers to commercialisation So why is it so difficult to develop assistive technologies for aged care when the need is so great and the technical expertise is readily available? Analyst, Frank Tobe, wondered “Where are the elder care robots?” and argued that companies developing complex technologies like robots and sensors find that they can easily switch to other markets when they make technical breakthroughs: “There are easier markets than eldercare. To build a viable home robot requires significant expertise in a number of sub-fields, which naturally opens doors to other markets that are easier to monetise.”

Consumer-led opportunities Fortunately however, there are two forces currently at play that could encourage the growth of aged care assistive technologies.

The first is that consumer devices continue to become more powerful, smaller, cheaper, and easier to use. Devices that were designed for a mass market can serve multiple purposes for the consumer, being leveraged by innovative companies for purposes that were not originally envisaged. (A smartphone is used for much more than making calls and checking email.) Companies can now serve niche markets like aged care with readily available devices, whereas previously they would need to build expensive custom hardware and software. For this reason, assistive technology for aged care is now seen as a viable commercial opportunity. (In fact, there is an Accelerator in the Bay Area that only targets aged care technology companies, supported by the investment community.)

The second is the move towards CDC to encourage consumers to choose how they wish to spend their home care dollar. This means that they can choose to spend part of their budget on assistive technologies if it makes sense to them. We could then find that consumers drive the shift to assistive technologies through their own wallets.

So perhaps the aged care sector shouldn’t worry so much.

I suspect that aged care will be transformed by assistive technologies – but that providers will not have to figure it all out first. Instead, the transformation will be driven by technologies targeted directly at the consumer, who will then allow providers to take advantage of their data and devices to provide them with a better service. It is a model championed by the Silicon Valley giants, and one that seems to be gaining momentum as the internet ecosystem expands. Just as BYO devices are now acceptable in business, led by consumer purchases of the latest and greatest devices, so too will consumers who buy into the benefit personally champion assistive technologies, and then share it with their providers. ■

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30 | General

Sundale: A real community partnership for 50 years

T

ake a community identified need, add a splash of enthusiastic youthful spirit, a touch of entrepreneurial enterprise, imagination and a concept and idea that everyone understands and supports - and the result is a community based age services organisation, committed to its foundations, proud of its heritage, and dedicated to its mission.

In 1960 a local Nambour Pharmacist, Ian Hayne, had a dream of creating a quality age service on the Sunshine Coast, so older members of our community would not have to move away from family, friends or loved ones when their care needs increased.

That concept became Sundale Garden Village, Nambour (Sundale). It took three years and a huge amount of support and enthusiasm, fund raising and service club involvement, to deliver the first facility to operate under the Sundale banner in 1963.

As reflected by Noel Parry, who was a building consultant and went on to lead Sundale’s building program for an amazing 15 years (1960 – 1975) as well as being the foundation Vice President, Sundale and Nambour have been intrinsically linked.

He described the early days by saying;

“Possibly no other project had ever touched Nambour’s conscience as closely as did the Sundale project. For months the town seemed to revolve around fundraising to get the project started. At the height of the fundraising drive, 30 Apexians were collecting scrap metal three mornings a week before work and loading it into railway trucks.

I remember (on) one occasion a few Apexians had to haul by hand a Caterpillar track from one of the Council’s bulldozers onto a railway truck.

It took some doing but by sheer determination we did it and we still laugh about it”.

As Anthropologist Margaret Mead famous quote states – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world .... indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

The winning tender to build the first stage of Sundale which included three cottages, twenty hostel units, kitchen and dining facilities and a supervisor’s flat was £ 65,181 ($ 131,362), a low price even for those times, held low due to the substantial amount of voluntary work to be contributed to the endeavour, such as Apexians pitching in to dig the foundation trenches, all by hand.

Sundale was, and is, at its heart, the epitome of a community organisation – that is our genesis and our mantra.

General | 31 by further construction.

Sundale supports 360 clients in their own home, 390 residents within our retirement communities, 400 clients through our rehabilitation centre, 70 in our affordable housing developments, and 115 children through our childcare centre.

We operate across five existing sites, with a further six development sites in hand. Our strategic direction is driven by identified community needs and our ability to deliver against them.

As a case in point, the Cooroy Private Hospital (located in the Noosa hinterland) went into liquidation in May 2000, with the loss of over 70 jobs, at a time when other major employers in the area had closed and even the major banks had withdrawn. Sundale saw yet another fellow community organisation disappear, and knew we had to do something about it. We had known for some time that rehabilitative services on the Sunshine Coast were lacking – we had been in this space ourselves for many years through our own day centre in Nambour – and here was an existing hospital that may just fit the bill, with a number of alterations.

Long story short, we closed the deal on the purchase of the hospital in September 2000, and opened the Eden Healthcare Centre (later to be changed to the Eden Rehabilitation Centre) in October 2001. This was the first private rehabilitation hospital opened on the Sunshine Coast, and indeed the first centre that specialised in rehabilitation. It grew to represent 16% of Queensland’s rehabilitation inpatient bed days in addition to providing an extensive array of outpatient programs.

As those who had been our supporters and colleagues (both church based and private listed groups) became our competitors,

Fast forward half a century, and Sundale (now Sundale Ltd - still a community based not for profit) boasts just under 500 residential places with plans to imminently build a further 60 places followed

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Implementing the Eden Alternative in Aged Care WA 3rd - 5th June 2014 QLD 16th - 18th July 2014 VIC 24th - 26th September 2014

• • • • •

Dementia Beyond Drugs Workshop NSW 27th - 28th May 2014 VIC 17th - 18th June 2014 QLD 21st - 22nd October 2014

Eden @ Home for Consumer Directed Care Person Centred Hospitality Introduction to the Eden Alternative Open Hearts, Open Minds Reframing Dementia

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32 | General

it was evident that although we maintained a highly successful rehabilitation model with tremendous care outcomes, we were unable to generate sufficient future referrals without having a hospital or surgical network of our own. In July 2012 we completed the sale of the Eden Rehabilitation Centre business whilst maintaining ownership of the land and buildings, and today continue to support its growth and expansion, thereby still delivering benefits to the local community, albeit through a different mechanism.

In spite of claims being made throughout our industry about not for profit organisations losing their way or identity, Sundale demonstrates the weakness in such assertions. We have never lost sight of our origins or sense of purpose, however we have responded significantly to the changing needs of our community and especially the needs of older Australians. This has led to a diversified care model, constantly looking for ways to do things better and more appropriately. Simply meeting standards is base line as far as we are concerned, and our communities in which we operate, and our own communities of practice, rightly expect more of us, and we deliver accordingly.

August 2013 was a month of celebration across all Sundale sites, in addition to our celebrating outstanding service through

our awards night attended by over 230 dedicated achievers - team members and volunteers alike, a Fun-Day that was enjoyed by over 8,000 members of our community (many commenting that it was a far better event than the “Nambour Show”), and a black tie 50th Anniversary dinner with special guest speakers Ian Hayne, and none other than LASA’s former Chair, General Peter Cosgrove both absolute “people’s choice” highlights of the evening.

Ian was able to clarify some of the “stories and myths” surrounding the “Pole Sit-In” that he and Tommy Carter engineered and manned - essentially a cubby house on a power pole, where they lived for a week, telephoning around the Sunshine Coast for donations to build our first facility. It was a light hearted delivery, reflecting the humour for which Ian is renowned, but also showed clearly the passion and commitment that perseveres for Ian when it comes to Sundale. Such life-long dedication to a community concept shows just the kind of pioneers who made Sundale what it is today.

Peter spoke about community service, its contribution and spirit, and paid due recognition to those individuals across Australia (and particularly within the Sundale community) who not only had the vision, but the dedication to “make it happen”. He

General | 33

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General | 35 reflected upon the dedication to service that he has witnessed through working with colleagues within LASA, and the many amazing people he has had the opportunity to meet across the LASA member network. There is no doubt that Peter holds a personal interest and commitment to ensuring that older Australians get the care, support, service, and respect that they richly deserve. What an absolute privilege to have had Peter as such an important part of such a celebration. There is no one better qualified to take on the auspicious role of Governor-General than General Peter Cosgrove.

Guests at the dinner included long-term team members (both current and retired), past and present Directors, supporters, customers, and community leaders. It was truly a night to remember. Those who were able to attend the series of functions still speak of the celebrations and the formal dinner, with a glint in their eye and a smile on their face.

So, what of the future for Sundale and organisations of similar heritage? We believe that the future is bright, as it will not be about the biggest or best funded, nor will it be about the best “essay” when it comes to being permitted to provide services.

The future will be about the providers who do the best job in not only supplying quality services, but also those with clarity in their strategic intent, ability to execute the intent and implement effectively. Providers will also need the ability to reach out to their

clients and potential clients, offering a customer focus that is not readily replicated by conglomerates.

Certainly there are opportunities for partnerships (both informal and formal) and collaboration. Let us not forget the lesson we saw when ABC Learning imploded, paving the way for Goodstart Early Learning in the childcare space. Other than self-confidence, ego and goodwill, what is holding age services back from taking such bold steps? Disability Care Australia providers represent ideal partners - there is much we can mutually learn and develop.

The future is filled with opportunity, sometimes in the guise of threat. Australians are constantly told of the ‘threat’ of an ageing population - but rarely do we hear from political leaders about the opportunity. We should be celebrating the achievement of longevity, and the positive change that it brings to our society. Collectively we should make the most of the wisdom of our elders through seeking their knowledge, guidance and mentoring.

That is certainly the foundation that Sundale sees for our second 50 years.

As we work through our visioning for the future, the various service types, dedicated team members, technology and locations, our client, constantly remains at the very centre of our focus. That has worked well to bring us to where we are today, and will remain the guiding light for where we go in the future. ■

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General | 37

Specialist Palliative care and advance care planning advisory service project

By Warwick Ragg

T

he Specialist Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Advisory Services Project (the Project) is a consortium led by the Respecting Patient Choices program within Austin Health. The Consortium includes Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), Aged and Communities Australia (ACSA), University of Queensland, Palliative Care Australia, CareSearch, Queensland University of Technology, and the Australian New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM).

Over a three year period the Project will invest over $15 million to develop three key outcomes. Firstly, to provide a 24hr/7 day/ week specialist palliative care advice line and a 12 hr/day, 7 day/ week advance care planning advice line. Secondly, to develop and deliver training modules for Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care. And thirdly, to develop and provide generic (in an electronic platform sense) ‘apps’ that will be the access vehicle for a broad range of information that relates to the content of the project.

Training will provide expanded skills to facility staff. The advice lines in particular are expected to be a major asset to care providers, especially those that are smaller in size and/or in rural or remote communities or who are otherwise providing treatment to residents with special needs. The capacity to collate comprehensive and relevant information will be the final side to this sturdy triangle of services and allow an ongoing presence of information.

The project has the following objectives: • to provide specialist palliative care and advance care planning advice to aged care providers and GPs caring for recipients of aged care services in the states and territories; • to improve linkages between aged acre services and palliative care services; • to improve palliative care skills and advance care planning expertise of aged care service staff and GPs caring for recipients of aged care services; and • to improve the quality of care for aged care recipients, prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and shorten hospital stays.

LASA and ACSA will act to disseminate information to their membership in relation to the project and especially to distribute a survey, which is part of a national environmental scan, to seek to ascertain the current understanding and usage of various

Specialist Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning services and tools. The results of this survey will substantially inform various planning components of the project as the three outcomes referred to above are refined to ensure they reflect the needs of the sector.

I have been appointed as the Project Officer to provide linkages between the project and the service provider sector, to facilitate a pathway for survey dissemination and other communications, and to work with the ACSA and LASA nominated representatives, respectively Carolanne Barkla and Kay Richards, to ensure the Age Service Provider issues are recognised and incorporated as the project develops.

The environmental scan is taking the form of four surveys designed for General Practitioners, Specialist Palliative Care Providers, Residential Care Service Providers and Home Care Service Providers. LASA/ACSA will distribute the latter two to members Many age service providers may well have already received this survey, via email from their state office. There will have been a Home Care Provider link and a Residential Care Provider link to a survey monkey. Please take the time to answer the survey appropriate to your business, the intention for the Residential Survey is for it to be completed at the facility level and for the Home Care Survey at the local office level.

As can be imagined the scale of the project and the complex delivery outcomes will require significant coordination and organisation. There are several project committees which will deliver the three key outcomes and also ensure the consistency of the information and services across those outcomes and that the complex components of the project are delivered in a measured and usable format. LASA and ACSA are represented on these subcommittees to ensure that Provider issues are considered in at the decision and design level rather than only at the implementation level.

Ultimately a successful project will be one that enhances the capacity of care providers and GPs in the sector to provide more appropriate and sensitive end of life care by improving the toolbox available to those delivering such services along with support systems to assist working through often difficult issues. ■

38 | General

Privacy Reforms – What it means for you?

By Julie McStay, Hynes Legal

Background

S

ignificant reforms to the privacy laws in Australia are set to commence on 12 March 2014. The Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 (Cwth) (the Act) makes changes to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwth) (the Privacy Act) including the introduction of a new harmonised set of privacy principles, the Australian Privacy Principles (the APPs).

The changes are only the first wave of reforms, with more to come in the future.

For example, businesses with a turnover of less than $3 million are not required to comply with the changes but this may change in the future. It is important that all aged care providers prepare for the changes and inform themselves of the practical implications on operations.

In this article we have set out the basic information you need to know about the changes to privacy laws. This article is not a substitute for legal advice. If you are interested obtaining further advice, obtaining a compliant policy or attending one of our webinars, please contact us.

Failure to comply A failure to comply with the new APPs may have significant consequences for entities. After 12 March 2014, the Privacy Commissioner will have new powers in dealing with non-compliance with the APPs and other privacy laws. Fines of up to $1.7 million for organisations and $340,000 for individuals may apply for serious and repeated breaches of the APPs.

The Australian Privacy Principles The APPs will replace the National Privacy Principles and the Information Privacy Principles that currently apply

to Australian businesses and Australian Government agencies.

There are a number of APPs that are new and significantly different from the current principles that are likely to impact on the activities of aged care providers.

In particular, the APP introduces:: • more onerous obligations in respect of the storage of information; • new rules regarding the collection of unsolicited information; • new rules about notifying individuals whose personal information is collected by an entity; and • changes to the rules relating to direct marketing.

There are also significant changes surrounding cross boarder disclosure of information. While these changes will mostly impact those businesses operating internationally they will also affect those providers who use off shore data storage.

The key changes are outlined below: (a) Open and transparent management of personal information All APPs must be read in the context of APP1 which provides that you must take reasonable steps to implement practices, procedures and systems to ensure compliance with the APPs. In addition to having a compliant privacy policy, you will be required to take a proactive approach to privacy compliance. This means you may have to upgrade your information systems, collection policies and staff training.

Importantly, the APPs will require entities to have a “clearly expressed and up to date” APP policy. This document should be tailored to aged care providers as it must be specifically account for the types of information collected by facilities (i.e. health information). A “cookie cutter” approach will not be acceptable.

(b) Unsolicited information The APPs create new rules on how an entity must deal with “unsolicited information.” Unsolicited information includes any personal information, not relevant to the entities functions, which the entity did not actively seek to collect.

If you receive unsolicited information then you will be required to “de-identify or destroy the information as soon as practicable”. For example, if a prospective resident in filling out a resident agreement accidently provides personal records not relevant to their care or financial position, then this would constitute unsolicited information and should be destroyed. (c) Notification of the collection of personal information Under the current privacy principles, an entity is required to inform an individual about various matters, such as, the identity of the organisation collecting the personal information, the purpose of the collection and the rights an individual has to access their personal information. However, post 12 March 2014, entities will be required to provide additional information to an individual such as, whether the personal information will be disclosed to overseas recipients (if so, the location of the recipient), how the individual can access and correct their personal information and how the individual can make a complaint about a breach of the APPs. The rules about the collection of sensitive information (i.e. health information) are essentially the same.

An entity will only be able to collect sensitive information if the individual consents and the information is reasonably necessary for the entity’s functions. (d) Direct marketing The APPs now provide that an entity must not use or disclose personal

General | 39 information for the purposes of direct marketing unless the individual has consented or at least been given an opportunity to opt-out. (e) Security of information Under the current privacy principles, entities must ensure that an individual’s personal information is protected from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. The new APPs will place an additional requirement on entities to ensure that personal information is secure from “interference”.

For example, this means aged care providers who hold personal information on computers or other electronic devices must ensure that the information is protected from computer viruses, and other forms of virtual-attacks. Aged care providers should at a minimum review their record security, computer systems, software and information technology practices to ensure there are adequate security protections in place.

Where to from here?

If you have not undertaken a thorough review of your facility’s privacy policies and procedures, you should do so because it is likely you will need to make some changes to your systems to ensure you are compliant post 12 March 2014.

Quick steps for compliance As a minimum aged care providers should: 1. Conduct a privacy audit – Review the types of information they hold, how the information is collected, how the information is stored and disclosed, the steps in place for de-identifying or destroying personal information, whether the current privacy policy document is compliant and their staff training.

2. Update and review your privacy policy – Ensure you have an up-to-date and compliant APP policy specifically tailored to aged care providers and the types of information collected.

3. Review how information is stored – Review your system of storing personal information to ensure the information is secure.

4. Update and review policies for de-identifying and destroying information – Ensure you have policies and procedures in place for dealing with unsolicited

information or information no longer required by a facility.

5. Update and review collection statements – Implement policies on how an individual will be notified that their personal information is being collected.

6. Appoint a privacy officer – Appoint a privacy officer, who will be responsible for providing staff training, dealing with complaints and inquiries and monitoring the performance of your privacy policy and procedures. An existing employee could

assume the role of privacy officer and it does not have to be their only role. The person who does take on the role needs to clearly understand the organisation’s privacy obligations and the steps that the organisation has taken to become compliant. ■ Hynes Legal and Simply Legal can help you comply.

Our privacy policy for aged care providers is available now. If you are interested in the policy, legal advice or in attending one of our webinars please contact us.

40 | General

Does applying building laws seem confusing?

Are you at a loss on where to start?

By Shawn Brosnan, TT Surveyors

F

or most people in the aged care industry, the physical buildings are just the places we perform our “real” work.

Most people do not comprehend or need to understand what’s involved in designing and constructing the buildings. However, having some basic interest in the desired expectations and outcomes is essential to creating and maintaining a safe and effective working environment.

To provide an understanding of the basic philosophy we need to break the physical building into stages: Design, Construction & Maintenance.

Designing your Building Many owners/occupiers are often quickly frustrated by building designs that do not seem flexible, or restrictive due to building laws. Further to this, more designers are feeling that “good” building design is being restricted by building codes and their methods of application.

The truth is that the building codes and regulations allow for innovative design and actually encourage owners and designers to apply more specific and “better than” minimum requirements to buildings. The restriction appears to be occurring as a breakdown in communication between owners, designers and the approval authorities.

Residential aged care buildings provide a unique environment for the occupants. Further to this, special care for residents with Dementia and other similar illnesses require specific design considerations to ensure a more humane and practical building design. Inappropriate designs can cause additional stress and hardship on the residents and carers, while applications of modern care philosophies can create a more pleasant environment.

Most building legislation in Australia is performance based with options provided for Deemed-To-Satisfy (DTS) compliance. Unfortunately, most see the DTS option as the less “argumentative” and “guaranteed” method for design.

Our building code is formulated to ensure designs comply with performance requirements. Performance requirements are holistic statements that require expertise to apply and demonstrate compliance (e.g: Ensure adequate early warning of fire within the building). The Deemed-To-Satisfy Provisions are absolute statements that are “deemed” to comply with the performance requirements (e.g: Install a smoke detector to an Australian Standard).

Where a design does not, or is impractical to, comply with the DTS Provisions, a designer can formulate an alternative solution.

This solution specifically addresses the design non-compliance to the DTS provisions by demonstrating compliance to the performance requirements (e.g: Alternative colour contrasting for persons with a disability specifically based on demonstrable expert opinion and research that various colours or combinations can cause additional stress to residents with dementia).

We believe that owners and designers should be encouraged to understand why restrictions have been created (e.g: Fire, access for persons with a disability, waste management) and where a restriction can cause undue hardship or stress to the occupants, then seek Alternative Solutions that address the specific performance requirements and their clients objectives.

At this stage owners should be obtaining advice from their design team (or through their own experience) as to best materials and methods of construction to suit the overall life of a building.

(Examples: 1. Using plasterboard or fibre-cement sheeting in low wall impact zones; or 2. Installing a low cost lift may make the construction budget look great, but if that lift requires several days maintenance a year and parts cannot be sourced after 5 years, the effect on the occupants and residents is more significant over 20 years than the small cost saving) Each State has its own specific methodology for obtaining a building consent/approval with requirements as to who can provide the approval how it must be done. But, essentially, each State has the same philosophy – “Design a building to comply with our codes; and have it approved by the appropriate authority before starting construction.” Alternative solutions may require additional consultants with relevant expertise but the benefits of these people should result in having a more practical and/or cost effective building.

Construction This is a period that owners and occupiers can have little involvement. However I would suggest there are benefits from seeing how the services (electrical wiring and nurse call system) are provided within the building. As long term changes to these systems can be expensive and having an understanding of what is involved will ensure you are more informed when making future decisions.

Maintaining the Building for its Life.

Fundamentally, the building has various life and fire safety systems that need to be maintained in accordance with three (3) elements: Manufacturers Specification/Warranty, Building Regulations & OH&S Regulations.

General | 41 As an example, your smoke detection system is required to be maintained under state law to the standard of installation and generally most states require the AS1851 methodology to demonstrate this. Further to this, the manufacturer has specific requirements on the life of a product that also needs to be considered. Thus this element has two areas of consideration.

As opposed to an example of a roof access safety system, which has no specific building regulation requirement but under OH&S laws the safety system must be maintained as it is readily expected that it can be used by any contractor. The frequency and type of inspection would be provided under manufacturers guidance.

Maintaining your building also requires consideration of any alternative solutions approved and implemented for the building.

These alternatives have changed the standard rules and, as such, need to be known and applied at all times during the life of the building.

Understanding the Buildings Life Safety Systems This appears to be the “Bermuda Triangle” of knowledge passed onto the owners and occupiers of any building. The building regulations in all states make the occupier responsible for maintaining the building safety systems and appropriate training of all staff/occupants in the basic fire/life systems within the building.

However, experience has shown us that the spread of information from design to construction to occupier is generally not completed in a method that is practical or usable to the end user.

Understanding of alternative solutions and recording of these also is widely unknown by the occupants.

Does your staff really know why fire/smoke walls and doors are constructed and what benefit they have to assist them in evacuating

a building? While they have training in the Evacuation Process do they feel comfortable that the building will perform as expected by the building codes and regulations? Was your building designed to perform life safety in a method above the standard building regulations?

Experience has shown us that where occupiers and staff understand these questions, have adequate records for ongoing knowledge and staff/management are adequately trained in their understanding; evacuation process during emergencies (while stressful) runs more effectively and there is less additional worry with all the “what if” thoughts.

Further to this, management have a sound base for ongoing maintenance and help to ensure that only appropriate maintenance is being completed.

Summary The building is a physical element that once constructed needs to be maintained to ensure life and occupant safety. Your staff interaction with the building and its components are essential in providing the most efficient methods and processes to performing their work.

Consideration of the whole life of the building and understanding its safety systems will allow you to make effective and cost efficient long term decisions that will ultimately benefit your business and those residents within your care.

A Consulting Building Surveyor, with appropriate experience and qualifications, should be able to provide you with guidance of how best to comply at the various stages and to assist you in understanding your physical building environment. ■

42 | General

Nominate Australia’s best in aged care for national honours The search for Australia’s top contributors to aged care has begun, with nominations open for the 2014 HESTA Aged Care Awards.

HESTA is recognising those who demonstrate innovation, leadership and dedication in the aged care sector.

The winners of the HESTA Aged Care Awards will share in a $30,000 prize pool, generously provided by long-term awards supporter, ME Bank.

Nominations are open until Friday, 30 May 2014.

HESTA CEO, Anne-Marie Corboy, said the awards are an opportunity to recognise the important contribution aged care professionals make in improving the lives of older Australians.

“People working in this sector provide a wide range of services, from keeping older people healthy and living independently, to preventing and managing illness and providing high-level care to the frail,” Ms Corboy said.

Nominate now at hestaawards.com.au

Three award categories — Outstanding Organisation, Team Innovation and Individual Distinction — acknowledge the breadth of services being provided to older Australians.

The 2013 winners Team Innovation: The Better Together Cottage Team — from Wahroonga Aged Care in Glen Waverley, Victoria — for a pilot program designed to make residents feel more relaxed in a homely environment.

Outstanding Organisation: RSL Care Brisbane, for maintaining services in RSL Care homes in Queensland following the devastating flood emergency precipitated by ex-cyclone Oswald.

Individual Distinction: Mrs Helen Williamson — aged 78, from Bankstown, NSW — for her 40 years as a volunteer supporting the work of the Bankstown City Aged Care facility.

2013 winners, left to right: Helen Williamson, Mary Fromberger representing Better Together Cottage Team, and Craig Mills representing RSL Care.

Finalists will be announced in July 2014, with interstate finalists flown to Melbourne for the awards dinner on 5 August 2014.

HESTA is the leading super fund for health and community services, with more than 770,000 members and $27 billion in assets. More people in health and community services choose HESTA for their super.

Proudly supported by:

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Ms Corboy encouraged people to nominate people working in aged care they admired as soon as possible.

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General | 43

2013 winners, left to right: Helen Williamson, Mary Fromberger representing Better Together Cottage Team, and Craig Mills representing RSL Care.

Know someone in the aged care sector who deserves an award?

Recognise aged care professionals for their outstanding care by nominating them in one of three categories:

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44 | General

Technology Systems – The hidden hero in facilitating a culture of change

By Helen Johnston – RSL LifeCare

M

uch has been written about the biggest changes and challenges in life – such as the transition into aged care settings or changing from one workplace to another. But when both of these occur in the same place at the same time it takes experience and honesty, plus watertight policies and procedures to navigate the complex emotional and practical journey for residents and staff alike. In this article, RSL LifeCare NSW reflects on the mass-intake of residents and staff into one of its facilities over the past 12 months – and uncovers the hidden hero that facilitated the project.

Ron Middleton VC Gardens, Richmond, NSW Ron Middleton VC Gardens, an 80 bed aged care facility in Richmond, NSW, opened its doors on 12 November 2013. The state-of-the-art facility is the latest property in the RSL LifeCare NSW family. With ensuite rooms, spacious grounds, glorious views of the surrounding countryside, four dining areas and lounge rooms, a vintage car on site, aviaries and partnership rooms which enable married couples to continue to live together, it is an attractive addition to the local area.

Due to local demand, the facility quickly welcomed many seeking to move into aged care. As Gaynor Griffiths, General Manager of the Central Sydney Region of RSL LifeCare says, “We didn’t realise the demand was going to be so great; we didn’t set out to admit 80 residents within a six-week period, however we were inundated.”

The challenge of opening Gaynor Griffiths, General Manager of the its doors and successfully Central Sydney Region of RSL LifeCare managing the intake of so many new residents was considerable.

Ms Griffiths’s focus was two-fold: to successfully recruit and train staff to work in the new facility and to manage, en masse, the stressful move of loved-ones into nursing home care.

Recruitment began four months prior to opening with Ms Griffiths and her team receiving over 1000 applications and interviewing 400 personnel for just under 100 positions. “It was a very long process and we had to have the right staff. In addition

to their ability to do their job, we were looking for staff that not only enjoyed working with the elderly but were committed and dedicated to working with older Australians.

They had to demonstrate that passion”. RSL LifeCare permanently transferred key head staff, such as the Care Manager, Head Chef, Care staff, Enrolled and Registered Nurses. With these transfers Linda Boydle, RSL LifeCare NSW came the knowledge and experience which provided the base on which the facility could build. In addition, experienced Admissions Manager, Linda Boydle, was seconded to assist with the interview process for in-coming residents.

The technology systems were instrumental in enabling the facility to open quickly. RSL LifeCare NSW uses an online system (Lee Care Systems) which houses residents’ medical records and care plans. Vital information is available at a glance and it can be accessed securely from any site across the organisation.

By following the system, a consistent and efficient approach to meeting regulatory requirements can be achieved. In addition, the organisation has its own proprietary intranet site, called Cooee, which is the point of contact for all policies, procedures and staff information. It provides one central place for all staff across the State to access the same, up-to-date information. Importantly, no policy or procedure can be altered or printed off without head office approval. Information is viewed online, ensuring that each time a policy is referred to, it is the most up-to-date policy. This was vital in the opening of the new facility, as transferred staff were experienced with the system they were using. Training in using the Cooee intranet system and Lee Care was a fundamental part of the orientation process for newly appointed staff.

Managing the transition into aged care for an individual is one of life’s great adjustments. RSL LifeCare needed to facilitate the physical move for 80 residents in a six-week period, whilst acknowledging that the emotional adjustment takes much longer.

Linda Boydle, an experienced Facility Manager, was seconded to Ron Middleton VC Gardens as Residential Care Manager, New Residents, to interview in-coming residents. “The task of

General | 45 interviewing new residents and their families was huge, given the demand we experienced and the fact that they were keen to move in as quickly as possible. We had systems in place for all of RSL LifeCare Policies and Procedures, not only for resident assessments in clinical care, but also for residential information encompassing the licensing legislation which was a very big help for me in this role. The technology that RSL LifeCare uses across all of its sites meant that I was completely at home with the systems I was using in my assessments, despite being in a new setting. This meant that I could focus on the most important task – interviewing residents and their families, finding the most suitable place for them within the facility and making sure we had the necessary information required to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

“Families are often underprepared for the guilt they may feel about moving a parent into aged care. It can be a surprising and challenging time. In addition, the person coming into care may feel a sense of loss, of disempowerment.” says Griffiths. “Our approach, with so many in the same position, was to be open and honest about the range of emotions everyone feels. Our strategy involved mass communication (open days, resident/relative meetings) as well as in-depth interviews with residents and their families. Given her experience in the field of nursing in aged care, Linda was able to flag for us any residents and families she thought might need additional support through the process. This was able to be entered onto the electronic file with the planned interventions for easy reference both prior to and post admission.

Because of the extra-ordinary circumstances, throughout the entire time we have had counselling services available for residents, families and staff.”

The 2011 Productivity Commission report “Caring for Older Australians” addresses the point that “technology has a vital role in improving the quality and range of care available to older Australians”.

The example of Ron Middleton VC Gardens illustrates the way in which technology can assist staff in a new setting. It also serves to point out the crucial role of training and ongoing support of new staff. Asked what

advice she would offer other organisations undertaking a similar intake in a new facility, Griffiths doesn’t hesitate. “Recruitment and skill mix is paramount - when you have the right team on board, the residents feel reassured. This in turn gives their families the confidence that they are in good hands. If you are planning to use an electronic system, ensure that your staff are ready and able to work with the systems. Appropriate system-specific training and watertight systems for policies and procedures reduces the risk of potential errors.”

Technology has the ability to be the hidden hero in any carebased organisation. This case study shows how it works behind the scenes, providing quick access to accurate, dependable medical and social information upon which both staff and residents can rely with confidence. ■

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Obesity and weight stigma in aged care

By Denise Burbidge, Chief Dietitian, Leading Nutrition – The Dietitian Centre

Are our personal opinions impacting on resident care?

W

hether we mean to or not, when we see an overweight person walking by, we automatically start making judgements on this person’s lifestyle.

Common thoughts are that they are’ lazy’ or ‘lack self- control’ or ‘do not care’. Do we think the same of residents in aged care facilities who are overweight? And how does this impact on our care and the health outcomes of these residents?

Rates of overweight and obesity are continuing to rise in Australia. The prevalence of obesity increases with age, peaking in the 55-64 year age group1 and then declining in subsequent years.

Many individuals are likely to be overweight or obese as they approach older age, around the same time they enter aged care facilities. This poses a challenge for residential age care facilities regarding how to best manage overweight or obese residents.

Obesity has a clear association with adverse health outcomes across all life stages. However, misperceptions often exist about the most appropriate way to define excess weight. A common measure used in adults is the BMI (Body Mass Index)2; however BMI does not take into account the age-related changes in body composition. With advancing age there is a loss of height, loss of lean body mass and often the presence of diseases that result in fluid retention. Studies indicate a higher BMI is more protective of health for the elderly, compared to younger adults. There is the suggestion that mortality associated with complications of obesity

only increases at a BMI greater than 30kg/m2, and perhaps not at any BMI in individuals over the age of 75 years3.

Obesity in older people is associated with many ailments: Obesity in older people is associated with many ailments: • increased disability, especially arthritis of the lower limbs • impaired physical function and chronic joint and muscular pain • the potential for impaired respiratory function • increased likelihood of developing urinary incontinence • mood and anxiety disorders5 However, obese people with certain chronic diseases including hypertension, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and peripheral artery disease actually have better health outcomes than residents of normal weight with the same conditions.6 The exact mechanism behind this occurrence, known as the “obesity paradox”, is unclear; however it is thought to be associated with factors such as increased bone mass and greater protection to hips from fat stores5. Elderly obese individuals also have decreased risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture, as a result of increased bone density.7 Whilst weight loss is beneficial for younger populations, weight loss in the elderly, whether intentional or unintentional, is associated with poorer health outcomes including increased mortality.8 Weight loss is known to hasten decline in lean body mass and bone density. Loss of muscle and bone mass in turn results in reduced strength and function, leaving elderly residents more reliant on assistance for activities of daily living.

48 | General As the aged care sector embraces consumer directed care it is more important than ever to think carefully about how we manage residents who are overweight or obese. It must be up to the resident to determine what care they want and whether they want to lose weight. There must be a team approach with health care professionals to advise whether weight loss is recommended or will improve health and independence. It is important to consider the impact of weight loss on a resident’s quality of life.

Anecdotally, meal times are often one of the most important times of the day for residents, and food may be one of the few pleasures left in a resident’s life. It would be an aged care dietitians experience that dietary restriction to induce weight loss is rarely indicated to be of clinical benefit for residents who are overweight (although there are always some exceptions).

Weight loss is not considered beneficial for most obese elderly residents. Restrictive diets often result in limited food choices and possible malnutrition and dehydration, even for obese residents.

Weight loss measures may be considered for residents with a BMI greater than 30kg/m2, only when the presence of obesity impacts on health or physical function and weight reduction is likely to be beneficial for the resident.5 Residents have the right to decline weight loss measures.

The Charter of Resident Rights and Responsibilities states that a resident has the right to ‘accept personal responsibility for his or her own actions and choices, even though these may involve an element of risk, because the resident has the right to accept the risk and not to have the risk used as a ground for preventing or restricting his or her actions and choices’.9 In practice, a combination of modest energy restriction whilst maintaining adequate nutrient provision, especially protein, combined with an exercise program to preserve loss of lean muscle mass, is required to achieve healthy weight loss.5 Interventions to achieve weight loss are not recommended for residents who are unable to participate in regular strength and balance training directed by a physiotherapist, due to the adverse health outcomes associated with disproportionate muscle loss.5 There is insufficient evidence to warrant the use of very low calorie diets (i.e. meal replacement shakes), anti-obesity medications or bariatric surgery as weight loss measures for the elderly.5 Knowing that weight loss is generally not indicated for overweight residents in aged care, as workers in this industry, we need to be comfortable with providing appropriate care.

We may need to set aside our own views on obesity and embrace the need for specialised equipment, larger beds and larger chairs.

There is no place for negative attitudes that may lead to serious consequences for the emotional and physical health of residents.

Stigma around obesity in the elderly, also known as weight bias, is as rife as in the general adult population and can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicidal behaviours.10 Residents exposed to weight bias are less likely to seek out preventative care and feel discouraged from making healthier choices.10 Furthermore, residents cope with these experiences by engaging in unhealthy eating behaviours and avoiding physical activity, thereby exacerbating obesity.10 In order to avoid weight bias, staff members are advised to avoid weight-related stereotypes and using potentially derogatory adjectives when describing people who are overweight or obese, such as ‘weight problem’, ‘fat’ and ‘morbidly obese’. It is important to ensure that residents are treated with respect and dignity when

being weighed. Weighing procedures ought to take place in a private location, with staff members avoiding negative comments or facial gestures that may cause embarrassment or shame for the resident. Residents can be offered the choice of knowing their weight or not.

Given the younger population obesity statistics in Australia, it is a reality that aged care facilities increasingly will need access to appropriate equipment to cater for obese residents, including scales, lifting machines, blood pressure cuffs and wheelchairs, in addition to the provision of bariatric-specific manual handling training to safely manage obese residents and protect staff members from injury. Take the time now to review how you care for obese residents in your workplace. ■ www.leadingnutrition.com.au

References: 1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Summary of Results 2007-2008. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4364.0Main+Featur es12007-2008%20(Reissue)?OpenDocument 2. World Health Organisation (2013) Obesity and Overweight. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/ 3. Heiat A, Vaccarino V, Krumholz HM. An evidence-based assessment of federal guidelines for overweight and obesity as they apply to elderly persons. Arch Intern Med. 2001; 161: 1194-203.

4. Lang IA, Llewellyn DJ, Alexander K, Melzer D. Obesity, physical function, and mortality in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008; 56: 1474-8.

5. Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine (2001) Position Statement No 19 Obesity and the Older Person. Available from: http://www.anzsgm. org/documents/ObesityandtheOlderPerson11Sept113.pdf 6. 41. Chapman IM. Obesity paradox during aging. Interdiscip Top Gerontol. 37: 20-36.

7. Slemenda C. Prevention of hip fractures: risk factor modification. Am J Med 1997;103:65S–71S. 8. Andres R, Muller DC, Sorkin JD. Long-term effects of change in body weight on all-cause mortality. A review. Ann Intern Med 1993;119:737– 43.

9. Australian Government Department of Health (2013) Charter of Residents Rights and Responsibilities. Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/ publishing.nsf/content/ageing-publicat-resicharter.htm 10. Friedman, RR & Puhl, RM (2012) Weight Bias: A Social Justice Issue. Available from: http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/reports/Rudd_ Policy_Brief_Weight_Bias.pdf

Author Denise Burbidge, BND, GCDE, APD, AN Denise is the Chief Dietitian at Leading Nutrition, a group of dietitians who provide expert dietetic services to residents in aged care homes across the nation. Leading Nutrition is at the forefront of aged care dietetics and is passionate about eliminating malnutrition amongst the elderly – they have a strong focus on excellent nutrition care outcomes for each resident they assess. The group works collaboratively with staff both at facility and head office level, exploring options to achieve the best possible nutrition outcomes for residents. Innovation is a key area of focus, with Leading Nutrition dietitians proactively seeking ways to improve systems and processes.

Leading Nutrition recognises that good nutrition outcomes are best achieved when everyone at a home is aware and passionate about nutrition, from clinical to care and food services staff, to administration and other service providers such as lifestyle workers and physiotherapists. Contact them on 1300 722 172 or email info@leadingnutrition.com.au for more information.

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SpeAker profILe:

Craig Rispin

www.itac2014.com.au Exhibition & Sponsorship available to download from the conference website.

Book now. Stands selling fast.

ITAC14 will focus on a range of new policy developments in aged care many of which will require service providers to consider how they best utilize ICT support to best meet these reforms. Not least among these significant changes is the implementation of Consumer Directed Care (CDC) and how the industry will address the complicated issues of client liaison on services, budget and contract negotiations.

ITAC14 aims to assist delegates to consider how best to deal with some of these issues. A great opportunity for all aged care providers to learn how industry leaders are dealing with these issues.

Business futurist and Innovation expert: know first, Be first, profit first For more than 20 years, Craig Rispin has delivered cutting edge futurist insights to some of the most innovative companies in the world including several ASX Top 10 and Fortune 500 companies. Craig Rispin is a business futurist, innovation expert, award winning speaker, mentor and author. Craig is excited to deliver his incredible insights on the rapidly changing future of aged care IT to ITAC 2014.

With his engaging style, Craig will cut through the noise and confusion and illuminate the driving forces impacting aged care IT. Craig’s insights will empower you to take strategic advantages over your competitors by making your own future.

Craig’s has built his success on mastering the big picture. Craig will show you: • The trends transforming commerce today.

• How these trends combine and disrupt each other leading to exponential change.

ITAC 2014 is brought to you by the Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council (Aciitc) the vehicle of Leading Age Services Australia and Aged and Community Services Australia.

CONTACT:

Jane Murray,Corporate Vision Events T: 08 8981 5119 M: 0413 626 021 E: itac2014@cve1.com.au

• The future and how to make it work.

• How to inspire your leaders and staff to develop foresight.

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Aged care I.T council launches vision for aged care

A

fter nearly two years in the making the Aged Care Industry I.T Council’s (ACIITC) Information and communications technology vision for the industry was officially launched by Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews. The event was very well attended with close to 90 representatives from industry, bureaucracy and federal parliamentarians. The vision document appeared in the last edition of Fusion. A video presentation and the document can be found on the ACIITC website www.aciitc.com.au It is important to note that this is a vision developed by the industry for the industry. Its messages are clear.

• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a key enabler for age services • A small investment has the capacity to reap considerable cost savings, particularly in maintaining the health of older Australians and assisting them to live in their homes longer • Enhanced ICT will greatly assist age services providers when contending when complying with red tape. Age services are well known for burdensome administration that does not enhance quality. Many forms are in excess of 30 pages

and largely hand-written. Reducing red tape and utilising technology to assist with compliance is an essential measure to give staff greater time caring for older Australians.

• The consequences of not meeting demand now and supporting industry with increased future demand is

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intergenerational pain, where families and communities grapple with an increasing number of frail older Australians with complex health needs.

• The industry is looking to partner with government to place itself in a similar position to GP’s and Pharmacists who have already received support to enhance their ICT capability • The benefits to small providers, particularly those in regional and rural Australia or those providing services to special needs groups is considerable • With the highest growth area in home care ICT enhancement will enable staff to maximise efficiency, providing services to more clients each day or spending greater time with clients, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and reducing precious health funding.

• We need to start TODAY, by Thinking BIG, Starting SMALL and scaling RAPIDLY Kenn Wheatland from Kiama, NSW attended the launch.

Kenn receives services from the NBN Telehealth Pilot Program, delivered by IRT. At 82 years of age Kenn looks a picture of health.

He is however a Type 1 Diabetic, who lost a family member at age 50 to the disease. Kenn’s knowledge and interest in his own health (and that of his wife) has peaked since becoming part of the trial. He is able to monitor and understand what can impact his health.

“I suffer from a range of health problems and as part of this program I have been given equipment which allows me to monitor my own health,” he said.

“For instance I can monitor the oxygen levels in my blood, I can check my blood pressure and blood glucose levels and I can keep a record of my body temperature.

“It only takes about five minutes a day and then I enter the data into the computer and an online nurse monitors the results.

“If there’s anything out of the ordinary then I get a phone call and we can explore the options.”

Kenn’s support of greater government investment in ICT solutions for older people is clear and was a motivator in his decision to come to Canberra to show Minister Kevin Andrew’s first hand.

“This program gives me peace of mind - there’s no guesswork about the condition of my body, I know day to day how my body is performing,” he said.

“It also means I’m not being a drain on the doctor’s surgery I go when I need to go, and I know when I need to go.

“I’d like to see many more of these programs available.”

Minister Kevin Andrews made reference to the ACIITC NBN enabled telehealth project and said he ‘looked forward to seeing the results’. He certainly saw a positive life size result in Kenn Wheatland. Minister Andrews continued to say “Empowering the industry is best achieved in working with the industry to develop an approach that is centred on enhancing care quality and productivity whilst ensuring high quality services.”

LASA looks forward to working with both Minister Andrews’ and Fifield to implement the ICT vision. This is a key area where a relatively small amount of government funding will assist members in reducing red tape and developing enhanced services (especially in regional and rural Australia). LASA will continue its advocacy to meet than end; and in doing so put age service providers on par with other health providers like Pharmacists and General Practitioners who have both been supported through enhanced information and communications technology.

LASA will also recommend ICT enhancement as a critical priority for discussion at the newly formed Aged Care Sector Committee, chaired by Dr Peter Shergold AC with LASA represented by CEO, Patrick Reid. The launch was positive and successful; forming a springboard to practical action to enable providers to enhance productivity and care quality. Thank you to all those who attended, with many travelling interstate to support their industry and the work of the Council. ■

Aged care financial performance survey – June 2013 Supplementary Report

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AMH Aged Care Companion

The first release of the AMH Aged Care Companion Book since 2010 offers exciting updates that are designed to help industry professionals enhance patient care through achieving QUM. AMH AGED CARE COMPANION (ONLINE)

It contains evidence-based information on more than 70 specific conditions common in older people. Topics include dementia management, delirium, cardiovascular diseases, stroke prevention, osteoporosis, falls prevention, insomnia, Parkinson’s diseases, urinary incontinence, type 2 diabetes, COPD, wounds and caring for ageing skin, and vaccination requirements in older people. Therapeutic information emphasises issues relevant to older people using medicines. Importantly, each topic offers non-drug treatment advice crucial to addressing the polypharmacy confronting those with multiple co-morbidities. Many of the topics direct the reader to additional resources, augmenting the information provided with useful tools and standards of care.

ONCE AGAIN AVAILABLE IN PRINT! Between now and April 30, 2014 you can enjoy pre-publication price on AMH Aged Care Companion (Print) by calling AMH on 08 8313 6977 or by visiting www.amh.net.au

software you can trust Residential care and retirement living software designed for ease of use and backed with the full support of the management advantage team.

Contact us for a demonstration:

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Whichever AMH Aged Care Companion they choose, health care professionals can support those trusted to their care, and practise with confidence.

2014

AMH AGED CARE COMPANION (PRINT) Pre-publication Price: $75.00 + $9.00 (P&H) RRP: $85.00 + $9.00 (P&H)

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Furniture Specially Designed for Aged & Health Care • Home Care

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Australian Medicines Handbook INDEPENDENT, TRUSTED, EVIDENCEBASED AND PEER REVIEWED DRUG INFORMATION FOR EVERY HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

Within the Australian health sector, Australian Medicines Handbook is recognised as a key provider of independent drug information for professionals concerned with QUM. We produce a range of medicines resources, with content solely researched, compiled and regularly updated by our expert team of qualified pharmacist editors, using a best-available evidence approach, independent of the government and pharmaceutical industry.

AMH ONLINE

Included in the content are: drug monographs (with mode of action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, specific considerations derations, dosages and more); comparative information on drugs within classes; interactions and practical management advice; updates on uses of medicines to reflect changed evidence and practice; advice from new practice guidelines; and advice from local and international sources.

Whether you are a doctor, pharmacist, nurse or an aged care provider, you can rely on AMH for concise, practical and reliable drug information.

You can choose how you want to achieve QUM with A selection of AMH resources:

2014

AMH BOOK

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AMH PHARMACY AMH AGED CARE AMH AGED CARE PACKAGE COMPANION COMPANION (ONLINE) (PRINT)

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Able Westchem Earth Care is a range of specialty products developed to fit the market and to consciously reduce the impact on the environment without compromising product performance.

Due to increasing demand and uptake from a more informed community that appreciates our contribution, AWC Earth Care will continue to strive to develop and embrace environmental improvements, both for the human aspect and environmental impact.

AWC Earth Care range is safe to use and most packaging is recyclable and can be returned to AWC for processing. To assist those involved in the decision making process AWC has a ‘stop light’ identification system for ease of management. There are no dangerous products in the AWC Earth Care range.

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2014 Executive Study Tour Program Studying and Advancing Global Eldercare

Open for Bookings now Watch our website for 2015 programme announcement.

Australian Seniors Living Industry International Study Tours for Executive Managers With South Africa and Finland & Denmark already sold out, this is your last chance to experience the diverse and invaluable 2014 tour program.

UK & Netherlands 13th - 27th September Innovation in Care Tour will include attendance at the biannual European Association of Homes and Services for the Aged (EAHSA) conference in the Netherlands.

Selling fast!

The tour will be aimed toward looking at innovation in care visiting organisations in South West England. This tour will involve spending a week studying the UK system, engaging at executive level with UK senior managers, local government representatives and peak industry associations. The tour will then progress to the Netherlands for the EAHSA conference.

SAGE are delighted to have this tour program hosted by UK’s National Care Forum CEO Des Kelly OBE

Canada & NY 14th - 26th June

Technology based Community Care

Last places!

Care for the elderly varies greatly among countries and is changing rapidly. This tour will incorporate an IT Community Care focus looking at Canada (Toronto) and New York Community Care delivery and how these regions have met the challenges of IT implementation. The tour will also include Residential Care facilities, however, the main focus will be IT in Community Care.

Finland/Denmark Northern Lights Tour 29th March - 8thApril

Sold Out!

South Africa

28th September - 11th October UBUNTU: The essential human virtues - Compassion & Humanity

Sold Out!

“What a great range of facilities” “Fabulous tour. Well prepared and conducted.”

“Very professional.”

“Judy was the ultimate tour guide!”

– comments from recent SAGE delegates

Hurry, these tours will sell out soon!

For more information or to book your spot on a tour, visit www.sagetours.com.au or contact study leader Judy Martin via email jmartin@agedcare.org.au or mobile 0437 649 672.

SAGE Study Tours are a partnership between: a specialist design practice.

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2014

LASA Events Develop your skills and knowledge at LASA events across the country throughout 2014.

LASA events cater for all segments of the age services industry to provide you with an opportunity to gain insights from leading experts, understand the age services business environment and share industry knowledge with your peers. Be a part of these fantastic networking opportunities in 2014:

� � 11 April 2014

1� � 20 �une 2014

2� � �0 �ay 2014

� � 11 �uly 2014

4 � � �une 2014

22 � 2� �uly 2014

LASA Q State Conference 2014 RACV, Royal Pines Resort LASA NSW-ACT State Congress 2014 The Westin, Sydney Community Care Qld Conference 2014 QT Gold Coast

1� � 1� �une 2014

LASA WA Conference 2014 Esplanade Hotel Fremantle

LASA Victoria State Congress 2014 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre NIMAC Conference 2014 Jupiters Hotel Gold Coast

ITAC 2014 Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

20 � 22 �cto�er 2014

LASA National Congress 2014 Adelaide Convention Centre Visit LASA Events for further information on all of these events plus more:

www.lasa.asn.au/events

TASMANIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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CAPITAL NEWS: Last minute updates from LASA activities in Canberra

Abbott Government commits to Red Tape reduction: LASA’s First win with removal of Commonwealth Building Certification.

On March 17, Prime Minister Abbott and Josh Frydenberg (Parliamentary Secretary to the PM and Federal Member for Kooyong) called for submissions into the impact of red tape. The Government has made a commitment to allocate two parliamentary sitting dates each year to repeal red tape and regulation. The first red tape repeal day will be held in a special sitting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday 26 March.

The Abbott Government plan is to scrap Over 9,000 regulations in a plan to cut $1 billion in red and green tape costs annually.

A new Guide to Regulation has been published. Its aim is to ensure that future public policy processes consider regulatory

impacts and compliance burdens for businesses, community organisations and individuals.

Guide to Regulation The Government has outlined ten broad principles that public policy makers are to consider when drafting new legislation: 1. Regulation should not be the default option for policy makers. The policy option offering the greatest net benefit should always be the recommended option; 2. Regulation should be imposed only when it can be shown to offer an overall net benefit; 3. The cost burden of new regulation must be fully offset by reductions in existing regulatory burden; 4. Every substantive regulatory policy change must be the subject of a Regulation Impact Statement; 5. Policy makers should consult in a genuine and timely was with affected businesses, community organisations and individuals;

General | 75 6. Policy makers must consult with each other to avoid creating cumulative or overlapping regulatory burdens; 7. The information upon which policy makers base their decisions must be published at the earliest opportunity; 8. Regulators must implement regulation with common sense, empathy and respect; 9. All regulations must be periodically reviewed to test its continuing relevance; and 10. Policy makers must work closely with their portfolio Deregulation Units throughout the policy making process.

unsure of how timely this process will be. LASA will certainly be advocating for a common sense approach when assessing the Aged Care Act repeals.

LASA looks forward to continuing the process for red tape reductions and removal of unnecessary regulation, standing ready to provide pragmatic and salient advice to government and stakeholders. LASA’s inaugural national policy forum in April will provide a timely resource.

Red Tape Reduction Website: www.cuttingredtape.gov.au New Guide to Regulation: www.cuttingredtape.gov.au/ handbook/australian-government-guide-regulation To make a submission: www.cuttingredtape.gov.au/form/ make-submission

LASA is pleased to announce that CEO Patrick Reid has been appointed to the new ministerial committee for aged care.

The Aged Care Sector Committee will be chaired by Dr Peter Shergold AC. The Committee has been tasked with “building the foundation for a constructive and lasting partnership between the Australian Government and the aged care sector.”

In the first tranche of tabled repeals was the removal of Commonwealth Building Certification for residential aged care facilities from the Aged Care Act. LASA congratulates the Abbott Government for listening to LASA members and removing the Commonwealth building certification process. As an area already covered by state and territory building codes this constitutes a positive step in the Government’s ‘red-tape’ reduction program.

LASA CEO Patrick Reid Appointed to new Ministerial Committee for Aged Care

LASA CEO Patrick Reid said “LASA as the voice for age service providers will deliver strong representation on behalf of its members to the committee charged with building the future of aged care.”

In a recent statement, Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield said the committee will “provide important advice, including identifying where to start the critical task of cutting red tape in aged care—practical steps that can be taken to reduce administrative burdens and compliance costs.”

“Members of the Committee have already been involved in consultations to develop a better way to allocate the former Aged Care Workforce Supplement funding in a more flexible and targeted way.”

LASA has engaged in ongoing advocacy that

has included current Ministers responsible for aged care, Kevin Andrews and Mitch Fifield,

providing both with a comprehensive red tape list from our provider members, feeding into the

coalition process both before and since forming government.

While quality care and the safety of vulnerable older Australians is paramount, age services is the most regulated industry with many areas of nuisance regulation and spurious compliance that do not improve quality, safety or outcomes for older Australians and in the case of building certification, is total duplication of an existing process.

LASA is confident that the Senate will also see the wisdom in removing the Commonwealth building certification process and pass the repeal bill. Considering the number of regulations we are

Minister Fifield appoints ageing advisor

Pat Sparrow has been appointed as Assistant Minister for Social Services (with responsibility for ageing) Senator Mitch Fifield. Pat has a long standing history in ageing and considerable expertise. LASA congratulates Pat on the appointment and sees this as a positive step for stakeholders.

National Office has already had several interactions with Pat and understands she is quickly learning her way around Parliament House! We are looking forward to a close working relationship providing complementary skills and expertise to ensure both the legislative reform process and ongoing policy receives the attention it deserves. ■

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Product News

Swift Electrical Swift Electrical is a leading provider of electrical services across the Aged Care industry in Victoria. We offer our clients a preventative maintenance program for all types of electrical installations and appliances. We also offer a prompt and reliable reactive maintenance service for electrical installations, upgrades and repairs.

• Our costs are competitive

Reliability, professionalism, cost competitiveness and genuine commitment to service has put Swift Electrical in a strong position to offer the best in electrical services for your organisation.

• We are willing to support organisations with representation on committees such as OH & S

All service personnel are registered electricians with Energy Safe Victoria and adhere to current electrical legislative and regulatory requirements as set out in the Victorian Electrical Safety Act 1998 and Australian Standards.

• Electrical appliance Testing and Tagging

Our Bedside Guardian system offers a patented revolutionary movement detection system for monitoring of residents within their rooms at residential aged care facilities. The Bedside Guardian is fully programmable and works with existing nurse call systems to provide assistance in the areas of falls prevention, continence management and promotion of independence. Please contact our office to request a copy of the Bedside Guardian DVD.

• RCD (Safety switch) Testing

Why does Swift Electrical stand out from the crowd?

• We are leaders in the field of OH&S and electrical safety

• We are happy to conduct education sessions with maintenance personnel • We only use licensed electricians

Services Swift Electrical offer: • Exit, Emergency and External Light Testing • Ceiling Fan and Exhaust Fan Audits and Microwave Testing

• Bedside Guardian falls prevention system • Reactive Maintenance • Electrical gap analysis conducted at your workplace

Swift Electrical can be contacted by calling 1300 661 661 or visit our website www.swiftelectrical.com.au

• Our work satisfies and exceeds all relevant Australian Electrical Standards • We assist organisations with providing evidence within quality frameworks • We have sound quality systems in place to assist organisations to meet compliance; particularly within Standard 4 - Physical Environment and Safe Systems • We have a sound understanding of the Aged Care Accreditation process

AIS Healthcare AIS Healthcare Pty Ltd provides Hospitals, Aged Cared & Healthcare facilities the best in products & services. We feel confident that our selective range of products not only complement the needs of staff but protect the wellbeing of patients with functionality and reliability. Our product range has proven successful in reducing staff & patient injuries as well as meeting the specific needs of bariatric patients.

Our Australian Made range of Haycomp Lifters and Standing machines have proven the test of time, not just with reliability but the availability and range of Slings, Accessories, ease of Service and back up Spare Parts at affordable prices. We also offer sling audits that protect patients and facilities from potential accidents due to age or condition.

Other key products in the AIS Healthcare range include the A&D range of patient weighing machines (Chair Scales, Personal Scales, In-Ground Scales for emergency departments), TR Equipment range of Hi Lo

Baths, Hi Lo Shower Trolley’s, Tilt Tables and Lifters and the Oxford-EME range of Stainless Steel products including Shower Commode Chairs, Linen Skips and a range of general purpose and department specific trolleys, etc.

We assure our client’s complete satisfaction with our unique range of products, strong WARRANTY and quality after Sales Service.

Sometimes it’s the little things that count such as: On site Demonstrations, Installations and Staff Training, so let AIS Healthcare assist you or contact us for your nearest distributor!

Product News | 77

The Eden AlternativeTM – celebrating 20 years of culture change

Since 2001, Eden in Oz & NZ has been promoting the Eden AlternativeTM philosophy of person directed care in Australia and New Zealand; providing a framework for culture change in residential and community care and it is fast becoming THE care model of choice.

Successful implementation of the Eden Alternative in Consumer directed or Person directed care environments requires commitment from the whole of organisation to support and empower staff, residents or clients. It requires personal, operational and physical transformation. It requires a commitment to ongoing education

through training courses that supports the culture change journey for each organisation.

To enhance wellbeing through a change in culture choose our new training courses, workshops and services: • Implementing the Eden Alternative in Aged Care • Eden @ Home for Consumer Directed Care • Person Centred Hospitality • Dementia Beyond Drugs • Eden Alternative Registry Membership

Through the Eden Alternative we are committed to transforming aged care environments which focus upon wellbeing...

For further information on our products or services contact Eden in Oz & NZ Ltd T: +61 (03) 8819 4732 E: admin@edeninoznz.com.au www.edeninoznz.com.au

Laundry performance begins with Speed Queen Aged and health care facilities have critical needs unique to their industry when it comes to on premise laundries. Many factors contribute to the design, setup, equipment and efficiency. Can the staff operate with maximum ease? Does it meet OHS standards? Is it cost-effective? Will the machines handle the pressure? Speed Queen has been at the top of the laundry industry for 100 years, with that experience behind us we can confidently say ‘Yes’ to all of the above.

Design & efficiency “We design the laundry to meet your space, ensuring maximum efficiency and optimal output,” says Jordan Ryan (NSW Sales

Manager). “Important considerations include eliminating cross contamination between soiled and clean linen, and meeting OHS standards. Optimal work flow is paramount.”

Tough, durable machines For Speed Queen, performance is a science with a century of research behind it. “We find the right combination of equipment. You can have peace of mind knowing no more time or money will be wasted on tending to run-down machines, laundry bottlenecks or external washing services,” says Mark Stathakis (QLD Business Development Manager). The longevity and reliability of Speed Queen machines makes them cost-effective and the workload

associated with your laundry process quickly diminishes once the machines are in place.

Low cost leasing & finance It’s important to keep operating and setup costs within your budget. This is taken into consideration during the design phase. “A new laundry or equipment upgrade is not necessarily an outlay beyond your reach.

Speed Queen offers extremely competitive low cost leasing options and finance to meet your budget,” says Paul Fox, VIC Commercial Sales Manager). “We also keep you updated with the latest in technology, and can include an ongoing maintenance program for added efficiency.”

78 | Product News

‘Catch them before they fall’® - INVISA-BEAM’S aim for Falls Prevention INVISA-BEAM Dual Beam Monitor is the ‘state of the art’ of INVISABEAM products for Falls Prevention from beds. It has the distinct advantage of monitoring both sides of the bed with continuous invisible beams. When the patient/resident, at risk of a fall, breaks an invisible beam attempting to exit the bed, it sets off an alarm either at the nurse-call station or on the Invisalert [pager]. It has many features to help reduce nursing time and patient falls.

Features • Wall mounted – leaves the bed free of equipment and cables. A free standing option is available.

• No switches to turn the monitor on and off, when attending the patient/ resident. This is a hands-free product.

• Entry Pass – The nurse/carer wearing the Entry Pass, automatically cancels the alarm when attending the patient/resident. After attending the patient, and leaving the bed zone, the monitor resets itself. The Entry Pass is used in conjunction with the existing nurse-call system.

• Invisalert – a sophisticated pager. It not only shows room and bed location, but provides the same functions of the Entry Pass. This system is completely ‘stand- alone’.

• Central processor – can be used to record bedside information including:- attendance to the patient: time spent with the patient: time of leaving the bed.

INVISA-BEAM International Pty Ltd is an Australian company.

INVISA-BEAM products are manufactured in Sydney.

Distributors are in all states, territories and NZ; also UK and Ireland For further information: T +61 2 62511374 M 0417 438 914 E info@invisabeam.com W www.invisabeam.com

• This information is a useful management tool for staffing and bedside behaviour of a patient at high risk of a fall.

Perich Constructions: Leading the way in aged care construction Perich Constructions is a commercial and industrial infrastructure solution provider servicing Sydney and regional New South Wales.

Specialising in the design, construction and refurbishment of aged care facilities, our constructions leave lasting impressions, our clients become close friends and we proudly weave ourselves into the fabric of every community we work in. How do we do this? By doing exactly what our clients ask and expect: deliver extraordinary results with minimum fuss.

Undertaking projects as diverse in purpose as they are in location, Perich Constructions is quickly garnering a stellar reputation as a leading provider of innovate commercial infrastructure solutions to the aged care industry.

Regardless of scope or complexity, Perich Constructions have proven time and time again to work within the parameters of time and budgetary compliance and deliver innovative and architecturally designed aged care construction solutions with the requisite quality to merit client satisfaction.

When it comes to aged care facilities, Perich Constructions has extensive experience in design, construction, and refurbishment.

Be it refurbishing an existing building or constructing a completely new facility from the ground up, the Perich Constructions team are the experts in delivering high quality, functional facilities catering to the needs of the recipients of aged care services.

Perich Constructions is a proud corporate affiliate of Leading Age Services Australia NSW-ACT and we pride ourselves on the fact that we are a ‘full service’ construction company.

What defines Perich Constructions is the relationships we forge with our clients. We understand clients want to deal with companies they trust and people who inspire them. That’s why we only employ honest, hardworking professionals; real men and women who are dependable and dedicated to the craft of construction. This is why we continue to grow while others disappear; we pride ourselves on our people.

To speak with a representative from Perich Constructions and discover how we can help you with your aged care facility design, refurbishment, upgrade or construction project phone us on (02) 9603 5551 or visit us at perichconstructions.com.au for more information.

TRY A STEAM CLEANER For 30 days

FREE

We are offering an amazing opportunity to try the SV8d steam cleaner in your premises for free.

We GUARANTEE you will love the results.

The SV8d steam vacuum cleaner is the most simple to use and effective cleaning and sanitising machine for your entire facility.

Clean grout, bathrooms, kitchens, upholstery, spot clean carpet, odours, clean curtains, windows and much more.

Call now for more information.

Offer ends May 30, 2014

The FIRST 10 Orders will receive an Ezy Clean steam and vacuum Spot cleaner FREE. It’s yours to keep. Valued at $249.

UPHOLSTERY

FLOORS

WINDOWS

DEEP CLEAN and SANITISE with STEAM Steam Australia steam vapour cleaning systems will effectively deep clean and sanitise all surfaces in your facility.

Steam penetrates areas where chemicals cannot reach, detailing every nook and cranny, giving you a deeper and more hygienic clean than ever before.

Anywhere that had to be cleaned with chemicals can now be hygienically cleaned in half the time using steam.

BATHROOMS

CURTAINS

BEDS

Our SV8d is absolutely FANTASTIC!! We've found it's particularly great for deodorising our rooms, cleaning curtains and refreshing carpets. Purchasing the SV8D steam vac is the BEST investment we've ever made for the facility and comfort of our residents.

Pattie - Injilinji Aged Care Centre Just a quick note to let you know that our machines are going great, we are constantly amazed by what they can do.

Tammy—Forster Private Hospital I use the SV8D steam cleaner daily. It's the best machine for spot cleaning stains off carpets, windows, curtains and cleaning bathrooms from top to bottom.

Every aged care facility should have one.

Sherrie– Autumn Lodge Aged Care

1300 79 50 50

Visit our website for video demonstrations

www.steamaustralia.com.au