Michael Foenander, Consultant
Aged care faces a quiet crisis as resident clinical complexity outpaces traditional service models, according to Michael Foenander. This leaves providers urgently needing strategic gerontological capability over simple compliance to remain viable.
Latest News
Bupa’s $2 billion exit strategy: why buying aged care is cheaper than building it
Four years after shelving its divestment plans, Bupa APAC is re-testing the market to sell its $2 billion ANZ aged care portfolio. The move highlights a stark sector reality: buying existing beds is now far cheaper than building them.
Why Australia’s aged care legislation struggles with community-led solutions
After 15 years of planning, fundraising and refining a financially viable model, one rural Victorian community is still unable to build an aged care facility. Wedderburn’s experience raises broader questions about whether Australia’s regulatory framework can accommodate community-led solutions.
Yvette Willison, Content Writer
The $5.6 million payroll wake-up call
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s $5.6 million audit recovery exposes a critical governance vulnerability for aged care leaders: basic payroll, rostering, and Award classification errors compound into massive compliance liabilities across large workforces.
Marion Piper, Contributor
Support at Home Senate inquiry: what Uniting wants aged care providers to know
What happens when someone is assessed as needing more care, but the funding isn’t there to provide it? Uniting NSW.ACT says the current gap is putting pressure on older people, providers and the wider aged care system.
Hayley Campbell, Content Writer
Avian Flu has arrived: Why communication is aged care’s strongest defence
Avian influenza may pose a low immediate risk to aged care, but it offers a timely reminder that outbreak preparedness extends beyond infection control. The lasting lesson from COVID is that compassionate, confident communication is as critical to resident wellbeing as any clinical response.
Yvette Willison, Content Writer
Contributors
Michael Foenander - Consultant
"Michael Foenander (GAICD) is an executive leader, board member, and former chef who writes on gerontology, foodservice, and aged care operations."
Hayley Campbell - Content Writer
"Hayley Campbell is a mental health and healthcare copywriter who believes the best stories start with people."
Yvette Willison - Content Writer
"Yvette is an avid storyteller with a working knowledge base in the Allied Health, Disability and Aged Care sectors."
Rise Up Group - Senior Catering Operations Specialist
"Lindsey O’Grady is a chef and aged care hospitality specialist with 40 years’ experience."
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News
What lies ahead for CHSP beyond the 2029 extension
Marion Piper, Contributor Australia’s Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is extended until June 2029, avoiding a planned merger with Support at Home. While the certainty is welcome news, providers now face the crucial challenge of shaping the program’s long-term future.
Interim funding rule Removes 53,000 clients from official aged care waitlist
Jakob Neeland, Contributor 53,718 people vanished from Australia’s aged care waitlist after a methodology change, removed once interim 60% payments start, not full funding. Providers report clients waiting up to five months, with the missing 40% never backdated.
Building the bridge to reshape First Nations aged care
Yvette Willison, Content Writer Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Jodi Cassar brings more than two decades of public service experience to one of aged care’s newest roles, sharing why listening, cultural safety and community partnerships are essential to creating meaningful, lasting reform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Who will take care of older Australians if migration slows?
Hayley Campbell, Content Writer Australia’s aged care workforce already relies heavily on migrant workers, while demand for workers continues to grow. With migration settings under review, providers need to understand what changes to access for overseas workers could mean for staffing.
Aged care’s data problem is starting to find its fix
Marion Piper, Contributor Three hours of a shift gone to paperwork — before a single resident is checked on. As documentation eats into aged care nursing time, new tools like Kinnexus and BESTMED IQ are trying to hand some of that time back to care.
New acting head, Kate Pope, confirmed for aged care’s independent oversight body
Marion Piper, Contributor Kate Pope PSM has taken over as acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, bringing 35 years of public sector experience to the role while government recruits a permanent appointee.
Aged care reforms haven’t fixed staffing, survey finds
Marion Piper, Contributor A union survey of 3,550 frontline workers finds understaffing, rising violence and unexplained funding gaps persisting under the Aged Care Act reforms – raising fresh governance questions about how providers are spending taxpayer funding.
Topic
Caring for the carer: why mental health capability is now a workforce imperative
One direct conversation was enough to help a manager know her colleague was in crisis and keep her safe. As burnout rises across aged care, Mental Health First Aid training is giving staff the confidence to notice, ask and act early.
For-profit aged care brings clarity to sector fault-lines
For-profit versus not-for-profit is a detour tension point the industry can’t afford. Mel Argent of Rockpool shares insight for the common goal, removing inefficiencies so that aged care can thrive in Australia. For seniors and staff, all providers and departments must pull towards best.
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