I'll get by With a little HELF from my friends...
Don't forget, you MUST start to implement HELF as soon as you can to offset the declining income through government funding.
Latest
Prioritising evidence in AN ACC
prioritising documentation
What happens after RADs?
Our wonderful colleagues have kindly permitted their discussion paper on Capital Funding for aged care to be published on this website. It certainly makes some valid points for the future of aged care in Australia. Definitely worth the read.
Activities of Daily Living
The two approaches in documenting for activities of daily living depend if the AN ACC class will be in the assisted mobility branch OR the not mobile branch.
Frailty - it is important!
Frailty has an underlying strength in contributing to higher AN ACC classes. It is critically important progress notes discuss the increasing frailty of the resident being discussed. Some examples of frailty notes might look like this:
Behaviour documentation
In my webinar I discuss the cognitive measurements applied in an AN ACC assessment. A progress note example might look similar to this:
December - Let's Chat
Join for an informal catch up post the funding reform committee. I will have updates on the governments plans for AN ACC and care minutes next year.
Funding and Care Minute optimisation
Thanks to my colleague Steven Hughes from Financial Shepherd for calculating the funding profit margin for us again! Steven is available to support your organisation in determining the matrix for profitability.
Thursday lunch chat
I am hosting an informal lunchtime catch up for my contacts tomorrow Thursday 6 November. Lets take 10 to check in on each other and how we are going with the new Act and Standards, and help each other problem solve issues! 11. “There is immense power when a group
AN ACC EVIDENCE - sources changed
Disappointingly the key principle to AN ACC where evidence was to be kept separate from clinical documentation has now changed. After many of us struggled to achieve the correct AN ACC class for our residents based on the principles of AN ACC, I addressed this issue with our Department of
HELF - can it wait?
The changes to AN ACC on 1 October supported the fair work commission's decision to raise award wages across all roles in residential aged care. BUT ... was the entire increase passed on through AN ACC? The 2025 increase in AN ACC also includes the outbreak management supplement and
The link between compliance and funding
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission now receive data from aged care provider's QFR and AFR. This information is risk rated to determine facilities who are under financial stress. The ACQSC have proven financial stress and non compliance to standards are aligned. If you can't
Update
Industry Update, October 2025
Hi Everyone, It has been some time since my last newsletter with AN ACC and industry updates. I have been working full time on a consulting project for a provider here in the Hunter and was excited to work alongside their staff and see the organisation develop their strategic plans
News
We're Renovating!
ATACA is an Association of Independent Aged Care Advisors working together to support problem-solving and service delivery to the Australian Aged Care Sector across a range of identified key service areas. We're currently doing a bit of renovation on our website as we move everything over to a
Update
Industry Update, December 2023
Hi Everyone, Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing support to me and the development of AN ACC systems and processes. Your feedback has been invaluable to guide the changes made by the Department of Health and Ageing in AN ACC for 2023
Opinion
Consulting in Aged Care
Consultants in aged care have increased exponentially over recent years– this rise is likely to be related to the overwhelming and complex changes we have experienced in our aged care industry. The new Aged Care Act implemented on July 1, 2024 has influenced the redesign of our Aged Care Quality
Update
Industry Update, November 2023
Hi Everyone, Now we are a full year into working with our funding tool, the Department of Health are undertaking series of analysis to determine if any changes are needed to the model, the class’s, the NWAU and approach to the price point. No doubt there will be advice
Opinion
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
Update
Industry Update, August 2023
Aged Care Funding Reform Committee Our August meeting primarily focused on a restructure of palliative care funding: The Department has received feedback from providers the current classification processes for new residents who enter RACF for the purpose of receiving palliative care (Class 1) and existing residents whose condition declines to
Update
Industry Update, July 2023
Aged Care Funding Reform Committee The Department of Health have requested the following information be shared: We have some messages around 24/7 registered nurse (RN) reporting, the 24/7 RN supplement, enrolled nurses (ENs), AN-ACC funding and care minutes, that we are keen for working group members to spread
Update
Industry Update, June 2023
Aged Care Funding Reform Committee Our June meeting was held 9 June, with some very informative discussions: The Dept is in consultation with the Quality and Safety Commission to explore opportunities available to aged care providers in reducing the administrative burden of respite documentation without risking client safety or receiving
Update
Industry Update, May 2023
Aged care funding reform committee The next committee meeting is planned for this Friday What’s New? The Care Minutes and 24/7 RN guide has been re-issued with some changes. Note the definition of the PCA working under direct / indirect supervision has changes per my previous communications. https://www.
Update
Industry Update, March 2023
Aged Care Funding Reform Committee The RACFR Committee met last week with some robust discussions and debates. I have provided an overview, but keep in mind nothing is fixed until it is formally announced. The implementation of 24/7 Registered Nurses and supplement. Some important facts you should know: * Exemptions
Update
Industry Update, February 2023
Aged Care Funding Reform Committee Outcomes We have not had another RACFRC meeting since last newsletter in December. So, no news is good news… sometimes. If I am made aware of any new developments, I will keep you posted. Handy emails for AN ACC Queries and Support * ANACCassessments@health.gov.