On Workforce and Change
Motivational quotes on change are great for giving me the framework and impetus to maintain momentum on my work in designing and delivering education to inform and empower our aged care industry. Like many readers, I also feel overwhelmed with the amount of change that we have recently undertaken whilst managing to keep our heads above water. The unsurprising news: this unrelenting pressure is not about to be released.
The singular motivational quote that resounds with me right now is by Deepak Chopra: "All great changes are preceded by chaos." Well, that certainly is true. Our chaotic world of aged care has undergone an extraordinary amount of change over the last 10 years, even more so after the Royal Commission- it can feel like an out-of-control roller coaster sometimes.
The ability to plan, either strategically, personally or for business is a critical skill right now for managers. Taking the time out to plan how you are going to address what is not only right in front of you each day, but also what is going to change this year and next year for aged care is essential. Our entire workforce and all contractors who are exposed to aged care will be affected by the cultural change influenced by the integration of Consumer Directed Services (CDS). Separate from Consumer Directed Care (CDC)- we love more acronyms, don't we? CDS will be the biggest effect on our industry and models of care that we have seen for quite some time.
Consumer directed services are the collaboration between consumer and provider to deliver services in the right way, at the preferred time and with the preferred person. Consumer directed care is the transparency and collaboration with the consumer on planning and delivering care with their goals and preferences. The CDS will need a structure established to identify what services the consumer would like to access, if it is able to be provided or negotiated, and the costs clearly detailed in evidence for transparency and communication to the consumer. The transparency of costs and funding is part of the CDC definition and will be critical in compliance by 2024.
Looking at the Government's plans on changes to aged care that are accessible from their website, we have a new Aged Care Act, Quality Standards, Funding Tool, CDC practice (it is no longer just a policy or principle), and last but not least, the change in funding to the consumer, not the provider. These plans require cultural change for our workforce and how they deliver services or approach our consumers. Language, behaviour, documentation, and consumer service skills take time to learn, and manage, and oversee, and embed. It certainly isn't a toolbox talk and code of conduct that will establish these changes, but rather planning for the long goal. Repetition of message, alternative methods of message delivery in education, constant monitoring, coaching, mentoring, and supporting with training and managing outcomes in a strategic plan for change is critically needed to ensure providers are confident they can evidence CDS with CDC in each facility. Providers need to evolve to become commercially competitive, starting by supporting and investing in your workforce to gain the skills and confidence for delivering the services needed and requested by the consumer.
The 5 pillars over 5 years published by the Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/05/five-pillars-over-5-years.pdf very clearly let us all know that from 2024, the funding in RAC is going to be moved to the consumer, away from the provider. I interpret this as being a very similar process to our existing Home Care funding mechanisms. Therefore, dear provider, your IT systems will need to be upgraded again, your account keeping on each cost for care will need to be itemised per consumer, and your RN and care minutes will need to be evidenced as achieved for the consumer's right to transparency in funding.
Circling back to my introductory comments, we need to plan now for these significant changes. The time and investment in your workforce to skilfully manage these changes could really be a critical component in ensuring the viability and success of your business and organisation. Don't forget, we are on a journey that is transforming aged care across Australia, and great changes will come from this chaos. "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Wayne Dyer.
Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash
