- Federal Budget: Once in a generation change for aged care in Australia
- SA Health Vaccine Update
- Factsheet for residential aged care workers – now available in 19 languages
- Launch of Operation Trace
- Multifaith Practices: new resource launched
- EthnicLinks Information Hub – aged care navigation support for CALD older people
- Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care
- Government awards funding to establish specialist dementia training for interpreters
- National Volunteers Week 17‑23 May: celebrating CVS volunteers
- Yarning Circle: Culturally appropriate support available to National Palliative Care Projects
- #MyLifeChoices: Disability, ageing and lifestyle expo
- Registration is now open for Vision Australia webinar: understanding low vision and blindness
- Data Exchange update – new ‘Exit Reason’ graph added to Service Summary sheet
- Handwashing not hand sanitiser best way to stop gastro causing norovirus
- Applications for the ‘Come Together’ Multicultural Festival Grants are now open
Federal Budget: Once in a generation change for aged care in Australia
The reforms will deliver respect, care and dignity for senior Australians, and place a critical focus on the quality and safety of care.
The reforms will be centred around 5 pillars to be delivered over 5 years:
- Home care – supporting senior Australians who choose to remain in their home
- Residential aged care services and sustainability – improving and simplifying residential aged care services and access
- Residential aged care quality and safety – improving residential aged care quality and safety
- Workforce – supporting a growing and better-skilled care workforce
- Governance – new legislation and stronger governance.
What do the reforms mean for aged care workers and providers?
The aged care workforce will be a critical partner with Government in delivering the reforms.
There is additional funding to increase the amount of front line care for senior Australians in residential care through mandated care minutes. There will be 80,000 additional home care packages for those who choose to stay in their own home.
The Department of Health will continue providing updates as work progresses on these important reforms.
You can read more about the reforms at www.health.gov.au/aged-care-reforms.
You can also read the Australian Government’s response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety at
www.health.gov.au/aged-care-royal-commission.
SA Health Vaccine Update
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine
- All people 50 years and over are now eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine.
- An appointment can be booked online using the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.
- Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be needed to be fully vaccinated.
- Allow two weeks between a COVID-19 vaccine dose and any other vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine.
- Visit covidvaccine.sa.gov.au to stay up-to-date with the latest information.
- Information about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
- Translated information.
SA Health has developed a fact sheet and FAQs for older people with information about the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Fact sheet: COVID-19 vaccine information for older people
- FAQs: COVID-19 vaccine FAQ for older people
An SA Health COVID-19 vaccine Q&A panel for over 50s is also is available to watch online on YouTube
Visit the Australian Government Department of Health website for a range of additional information about COVID-19 vaccines.
The National Coronavirus Helpline is the front door for all vaccine enquiries for the community and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 020 080.
Source: Office for Ageing Well
Factsheet for residential aged care workers – now available in 19 languages
As is the case with all people living in Australia, people working in residential aged care will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine depending on their age:
- People aged 50 years and over will receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
- People aged under 50 years will receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Department of Health
Launch of Operation Trace
Police officers will also be ensuring businesses have QR codes displayed, are providing a secure hard copy check-in option and are ensuring as far as possible that customers and patrons are checking in.
Multifaith Practices: new resource launched
The Multifaith Practices resource is an Australian edition of a Canadian publication called Multi-faith Practices: Guidelines for Caregivers which was published in 2014 by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. The Meaningful Ageing edition has revised and updated the original for both Australian and aged care contexts. Input was given by key representative from six religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, which the resource will cover.
Each chapter provides an introductory overview for each religion of their:
- Beliefs and values
- Sacred texts
- Holy days, holidays, and ritual observances
- Late life celebrations
- Caring practices during illness
- End of life practices
- Readings and prayers
More information can be found here.
You can watch the launch video here.
The guide is now available free to Meaningful Ageing members in either a printed or electronic copy. The guide will be available to buy for $20 by non-members in October 2021.
EthnicLinks Information Hub – aged care navigation support for CALD older people
Launched in Adelaide to assist older people from diverse cultural backgrounds to access services which are right for them.
There are many services available which support older people to remain living safely and independently in their homes and communities. These include domestic cleaning, home and garden maintenance, transport to GP and other appointments, assistance with meals, social support, personal care and in-home nursing care. There are also services for those who require more extensive, round the clock care.
Many older people, and especially those who do not speak English well, struggle to understand what services are available and right for them. Having to register for services can also be confusing and it is sometimes hard to know where to start.
The EthnicLinks Information Hub assists older people from CALD backgrounds aged 65 years and over to better understand their options so that they can make informed decisions about their care. They also help them to register with My Aged Care and guide and support them through the process.
The information and support provided is FREE and delivered in the preferred language of their customers.
For more information or to make a referral, contact Deepak Dev on 0422 978 161 or ethniclinks@unitingsa.com.au
Download the EthnicLinks Information Hub flyer.
Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care
Held during National Palliative Care Week, ABC presenter Di Darmody, and panellists will discuss what Australians know and understand about palliative care, and explore whether or not community understanding about palliative care presents a barrier to accessing timely care. At the event, they will launch an innovative national education campaign – Palliative Care It’s more than you think – and share key findings from the latest survey examining Australians’ attitudes and awareness of palliative care.
Government awards funding to establish specialist dementia training for interpreters
The study will also receive financial contributions from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, Dementia Australia, the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators, All Graduates Interpreting and Translating, Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership and the Sydney Local Health District.
For information visit the media release here.
National Volunteers Week 17‑23 May: celebrating CVS volunteers
The CVS arranges volunteer visits to older people accessing residential or home care services (including those waiting for services) who may be lonely or socially isolated. These regular visits provide important friendship and companionship to the older person, and can be incredibly fulfilling for the volunteer visitor, often leading to lifelong friendships.
Join us in celebrating our CVS volunteers by listening to the stories below:
- CVS Volunteer Visitor – Simon’s story
- CVS Volunteer Visitor – Sharon’s story
- CVS Volunteer Visitor – Jian’s story
To register interest in arranging for a visitor, or volunteering for the scheme, get in touch with a CVS State Network Member.
Yarning Circle: Culturally appropriate support available to National Palliative Care Projects
The Yarning Circle is available to all nationally funded palliative care projects to seek support and cultural guidance for palliative care services provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. National projects can present, discuss, and seek ongoing cultural guidance and support to inform project delivery throughout their project term.
PCA is being funded by the Department of Health to provide administrative and coordination support for the Yarning Circle. To find out more about the Yarning Circle, whether to join or raise any item at a bi-monthly meeting, email projects@palliativecare.org.au.
Source: Palliative Care Australia

#MyLifeChoices: Disability, ageing and lifestyle expo
- Access up-to-date information in one spot
- Learn about available products and services
- Discover pathways and explore your options
- Enjoy a fun day out in the community
10am to 4pm
Wayville Pavilion
Adelaide Showgrounds
Entry is free
For more information visit www.dalexpo.com.au or download a copy of the flyer here.
Registration is now open for Vision Australia webinar: understanding low vision and blindness
People with vision loss are three times more likely to suffer depression and twice as likely to experience a decrease in social independence. Vision Australia is hosting a webinar that will help you learn how you can support aged care clients to live more independently and continue doing the things they love. If you work as a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessor, this session will build your knowledge and confidence to discuss relevant supports and goals with vision impaired clients when completing assessments.
The webinar will cover:
- common eye conditions and their impact on vision
- impacts of vision loss on daily living activities
- daily living strategies, aids and equipment useful for people with blindness or low vision
- selecting the relevant service types when referring vision impaired clients for appropriate services.
Date: Tuesday 1 June 2021
Time: 12-1pm AEST
Health professionals may be eligible for Continuing Professional Development points when attending this session.
If you have questions about the webinar or need further information, call Denise Pellow on 1300 847 466.
Data Exchange update – new ‘Exit Reason’ graph added to Service Summary sheet
For further updates and more information click here.
Handwashing not hand sanitiser best way to stop gastro causing norovirus
The Food Safety Information Council has recently warned that good handwashing rather than using hand sanitiser is more effective in reducing the risk of catching the gastro causing norovirus.
Cathy Moir, Council Chair, said not all viruses are the same and although hand sanitisers are very effective against reducing the spread of COVID-19, it has little effect on the spread of norovirus. To effectively remove Norovirus you must wash your hands using soap, rubbing for 20 seconds and rinsing with running water then drying thoroughly.
Applications for the ‘Come Together’ Multicultural Festival Grants are now open
The 2021 Multicultural Festival is a free one-day event that celebrates multiculturalism through music, dance, heritage, arts, crafts and culinary delights.
The Festival will provide an opportunity for the wider community to experience and enjoy a diverse range of cultures and traditions.
There are three grant categories for multicultural community groups to showcase their culture through a performance, activity or stall. You can find more information on these grant categories here.
To apply for the grant, an online application form and guidelines are available here.
Applications close Tuesday 15 June 2021 at 5pm
Please contact the Multicultural Grants Team on 1300 239 468 or via email MulticulturalAffairs@sa.gov.au for more information.