Speak Out August 2021

Aged care UPDATE

Representation & advocacy Aged Care Reform The SPA Aged Care Team has continued a very busy time of advocacy work, particularly following the release of the Royal Commission into Aged Care quality and safety Final report Recommendations and the official Government response to the Royal Commission recommendations A Speech Pathology Australia Policy Brief on Aged Care, articulating the Association's position on some of the key recommendations and subsequent government response has been developed with follow up meetings planned across government and the sector (refer to SPA website). ACQSC Expert Advisory Panel The Association is represented on the Expert Advisory Panel for Food, Nutrition and Mealtime experience in Aged Care of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and has been involved in the development of three fact sheets for the aged care sector (supporting safe and enjoyable mealtimes for people with dysphagia, nutrition and texture modified food/drinks, supporting informed choice for people who eat/drink with acknowledged risk). The ACQSC plans to develop this information into a suite of resources that they then distribute and promote to the aged care sector. Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Legislation Association work continues to review and contribute to proceedings related to introduction of VAD legislation occurring across a number of states at present. SPA was recently invited to present as a witness at the Public Hearing into the draft Voluntary Assisted

Dying Bill at Parliament House, following our earlier submissions (see story on page 26). Resources and training Elder Abuse The elder abuse e-learning modules for health professionals developed by the Human Rights Commission/Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN) are now available to view for free online here . SPA has contributed to the content within Module 1 of the 3 available, describing the impact and importance of recognising, addressing and supporting communication difficulties in older people as part of addressing vulnerability to elder abuse. There are also fact sheets developed for this project located on the Associations' Ageing and Aged Care Resource Page. Speech Pathology Australia is also proud of the work undertaken by SPA Manager of Professional Education Maree Brown, in the development of this resource for OPAN/Human Rights Commission. A range of new member printed resources are on their way, including a five part Guide to the Aged Care System for members. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the Ageing and Aged Care Resource Page , remember to log in to be able to click on links to resources. A range of member education opportunities are underway—including the recent Speak Up Podcast episode with OPAN CEO Craig Gear discussing where/how to support individual clients advocate for their care, and a number of further podcasts planned, along with a new SPA community of practice on dementia to be launched soon.

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Speak Out | August 2021