The decision to move an elderly parent or loved one to a residential aged care home can be a difficult and emotional one, both for them and their families.
But knowing that all homes must now meet the new Commonwealth-mandated quality standards provides reassurance that they will be well looked after.
On 1 July 2019, Australia’s Aged Care Quality Standards came into effect. These require that all aged care residents must be treated with dignity and respect, and that their homes must provide safe and effective care.
At Medical & Aged Care Group, we are committed to serving and supporting older Australians and their families. We are family-owned and managed, and family is at the heart of everything we do.
The Aged Care Quality Standards
There are eight Aged Care Quality Standards. These are enforced by the Australian Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, which carries out regular assessments of all aged care homes receiving Commonwealth subsidies.
The Commission’s auditors visit homes to interview residents, family members, and staff. They observe care, and review documentation to ensure that the standards are being met or exceeded.
1. Consumer dignity and choice
Every resident of an aged care home must be treated with dignity and respect, and their identity, culture, and diversity must be valued.
Their ability to exercise freedom of choice and independence must be supported. Their privacy must be respected, and their personal information at all times kept confidential.
2. Ongoing assessment and planning
Every resident should be involved in the planning and assessment of their own care and services, in accordance with their own personal needs, goals and preferences.
Their home must identify and address their wishes with respect both to their current care and, if they so wish, advanced care planning and end of life planning too. These plans must be well communicated and documented, and reviewed on an ongoing basis as a person’s needs change.
3. Personal care and clinical care
As the resident of an aged care home, you have a right to both personal care and clinical care that is safe and is specifically tailored to your individual needs, health, and wellbeing.
If your needs change over time, then the home must recognise this and respond with new care plans in a timely manner.
4. Services and support for daily living
Every resident must be provided with the services and support for daily living that are important for their health and wellbeing, and enable them to do the things they want to do.
The goal is to optimise their independence and all aspects of their quality of life, from social and personal relationships to the quality and quantity of their meals.
5. Organisation’s service environment
Every resident has a right to feel they belong in their aged care home, and that they are safe and comfortable. Their environment should be welcoming and easy to understand, so that they are able to maintain their independence and enjoy themselves.
This also means the home must be clean and well maintained, with easy access to both indoors and the outdoors. All furniture and equipment must be kept in good condition at all times.
6. Feedback and complaints
Residents and their family and friends must feel safe, encouraged and supported to give feedback and, where necessary, make complaints about their care.
They understand that they have access to advocates, language services, and other groups to help resolve any complaints, and any complaint must be appropriately acted upon.
7. Human resources
Residents have a right to quality care and services from people who are knowledgeable, capable, and caring. Staff must, at all times, treat residents with kindness, care and respect.
Homes must ensure their staff are competent and have the qualifications and knowledge they need to perform their roles well. And that they are trained, equipped, and supported to deliver the highest care standards possible.
8. Organisational governance
A home’s governing body is accountable for the delivery of safe and quality care and services, and should inspire confidence that it is well run.
It should foster a culture of safety and inclusivity, and be held accountable for the services it delivers. There should be risk management systems in place to ensure that all residents enjoy the best and safest life possible.
Warm, intimate and friendly environment
At Medical & Aged Care Group, we are very proud of the standards of our people and our homes. We consciously made the decision to provide homes that are smaller than those of most other aged care providers so that we can deliver a warm, intimate and friendly environment for our residents.
We truly embrace all the values enshrined in Australia’s Aged Care Quality Standards. If you live or work in a Medical & Aged Care Group home then you're family, so we strive to ensure our staff and residents alike feel secure, well cared for and respected.
To find out more or to arrange a tour of one of our homes, contact us via our website or call us on (03) 9428 2800.
