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Aged Care Certificate 3 Graduation

Much needed reform continues in the Aged Care sector with the introduction of new standards from July 1^st this year.  There are 8 new standards that will replace the current 4 with a very obvious shift from; “these are the standards you must provide” to, “are your services meeting your residents’ (now called consumers) needs?”

The eight new standards are:

1. Consumer dignity and choice
2. Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
3. Personal care and clinical care
4. Services and supports for daily living
5. Organisation’s service environment
6. Feedback and complaints
7. Human resources
8. Organisational governance

The new Aged Care Quality Standards are contained in the Quality of Care Amendment (Single Quality Framework) Principles 2018

It will be interesting to see how facilities respond to this new way of thinking and approach to care. It will no longer be enough to have the policies and procedures in place but rather, facilities will need to demonstrate how these policies are being implemented with the residents.   Shifting a traditionally task orientated, time regulated workplace where there is an expectation that everyone is showered and seated for breakfast at 8am, to one where the resident can wake up when they want to, attend breakfast when it suits them and shower at their convenience is not without its challenges but as a society we must meet these. Consumer choice and quality care must become the norm within our aged care facilities to meet the expectations of our modern society.

Providing choice, encouraging independence, allowing people to do things for themselves all takes more staff time and that’s something almost every carer will say they don’t have. Staff ratios have been one area that government have been resistant to legislate even though there are mandatory staffing levels in childcare.  Why should our elder Australians be treated differently –  especially in an industry that is now attracting large multinational companies making record profits from residential care homes?

There is no doubt that our aged care system needs improvement.  Just how these new standards will be met will largely depend on a culture shift from both carers and facility managers. Let’s hope when it comes to our time to move into residential care, it will be something to look forward to.

All Care Training offers cert 3 courses in aged care and disability on the Sunshine Coast and is proudly owned and operated by nurses. To find out more about our courses visit the website or just call us on 0405 161987.