RESOURCES & SERVICES
NCOSS Policy Platform 2023
The NCOSS Policy Platform sets out recommendations for the next NSW Parliament to address priority issues as identified by communities. You are able to read information on the Policy Platform, use their Election Advocacy Toolkit, and look at their Policy Tracker. The NCOSS Policy Tracker will gather any announcements made by NSW Labor (Australian Labor Party NSW branch), NSW Coalition (Liberal-National) and The Greens NSW that align with the NCOSS Policy Platform 2023.
Access the NCOSS Policy Platform 2023: Working together for a fairer NSW
ELDAC Home Care App
The ELDAC Home Care App aims to support home care workers providing end of life and palliative care to their clients. The app also helps providers to support the clients’ families and carers The app is free, evidence-based, and co-designed with the home care sector. There are six sections which provide evidence-based information and tips for supporting clients through their changing health and care needs. These sections include plans for end of life, supporting families and carers with their grief, and looking after yourself. There is also an opportunity to participate in an evaluation study research project, in which you can share your thoughts, suggest improvements, and share the impact that the app has made on your provision of care to clients, their families and carers.
NSW Ageing and Disability Commission Flyers – Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
The Ageing and Disability Commission has free flyers and brochures containing information on the different types of abuse and neglect, as well as a wellbeing checklist, and resources for multicultural communities which are available in 24 languages.
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) Seeking Support for Recommendations
Ageing on the Edge NSW is a coalition with a focus on older people aged over 55 in NSW, in relation to housing and homelessness. They are calling on the NSW Government to commit to three recommendations to improve the housing crisis for older people. These recommendations are to: fund a specialist older person’s housing information and support service that comprises both an early intervention and crisis response, similar to the HAAG ‘Home at Last’ model in Victoria; lower the priority age for social housing eligibility from 80 years as a matter of urgency; and to build 5,000 social and affordable homes per year for 10 years, at least 20% of which should be dedicated to older people.
Building Better Homes Campaign Seeking Signatures for Petition
This campaign urges the NSW Government to commit to adopting the new mandatory minimum accessibility standards in the revised National Construction Code. This will help to improve accessibility for people with disability, older people, and others with mobility limitation, and ensure they have the same rights as they do elsewhere.
OPAN Self-Advocacy Toolkit
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has developed a free toolkit to help individuals to advocate for themselves and their loved ones in receiving better aged care. The toolkit offers guidance on you or your parent’s aged care rights and options, protecting yourself from harm, aged care costs, and more. For more support, call OPAN on 1800 700 600.
PwC Australia’s Business Advisory Service
PwC Australia has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Aged Care to provide free, independent and confidential business advisory services to eligible aged care providers experiencing financial stress and who are concerned about their viability. This service will help providers to improve operations and get advice on business management and strategies. To be eligible, you must be an approved provider in Australia with a National Approved Provider System (NAPS) ID, and not be a State Government entity.
Aged Care Learning Information Solution (Alis) Learning Platform
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s has created a free online learning platform, the Aged Care Learning Information Solution (Alis). Commonwealth-funded aged care providers can access modules with information on aged care quality standards, clinical governance, prudential compliance, and more. Modules help providers to improve the safety and quality of their care; regular checking of Alis is beneficial to keep yourself updated on new training modules and resources. Non-Commonwealth funded services can still access Alis for a fee.
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PDCN’s Survey on Taxi Card
Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) is seeking responses from users on their experiences with the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (Taxi Card).
Equip Aged Care Learning Packages
Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health & Medicine at the University of Tasmania, has developed aged care several learning packages for new and existing workers in the aged care sector, as well as volunteers and families. These include the Equip Aged Care Learning Introductory Package, and the Equip Aged Care Learning Refresher Package. Modules are tailored for the workers’ level of knowledge, whether entering the aged care sector or seeking a refresher. These packages are free, self-paced, easy to get through, and accessible on multiple devices.
Practice Building Blocks Training Series
Facilitated by Age Communications Glen Sorenson, this series of training will focus on wellness and reablement and will be delivered from February to May. All sessions will be on a Thursday 2-3pm, and the link to each session will be sent out one week before the session is delivered. Session One was also held on 16 February, and looked at how current aged care policies can be seen in community care practice; its theoretical focus helped participants to learn more about strength-based approaches, wellness, short-term reablement, and more. The save-the-dates for the next sessions are:
> Session 2 – February 23rdÂ
> Session 3 – March 9th
> Session 4 – March 16th
> Session 5 – March 30th
> Session 6 – April 6th
> Session 7 – April 27th
> Session 8 – May 4th
To pre-register for the sessions please email Rhonda.Smith@booroongendjugun.com.au.Â
LaTrobe University LGBTI Ageing Resources
WSCF Affordable Translation Services
Western Sydney Community Forum offers a trusted document translation service for small and large organisations and businesses. We use NAATI-accredited translators with expertise in translating a range of documents to assist with your service delivery, from simple brochures to complex and sensitive publications. Members can access this service at a subsidised cost.
For more information, contact info@wscf.org.au.
My Aged Care consumer resources
The My Aged Care website features a range of resources for you to share with consumers about how to get started with My Aged Care.
These resources include new case study videos for:
- people who speak other languages
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- You can view or download all of these resources from the My Aged Care website.
Directory of Western Sydney Services for Commonwealth Home Support Program
The updated Directory of Western Sydney Services for Commonwealth Home Support Program is now available.
Please contact Sora Machida, Multicultural Access Project Officer
Ph: 8838 2173 Sora.Machida@health.nsw.gov.au
Free guide: Adding value to governance in aged care
The Governance Institute of Australia has refreshed their free guide, ‘Adding value to governance in aged care’ to help providers manage their governance responsibilities.
The free guide addresses a broad range of issues including:
- the role of governance and a director
- the unique challenges facing the sector
- factors to consider before taking a board position
- issues the board should consider when appointing a new member
- the relationship between the board and management
- risk management
- interaction with stakeholders.