As Australia’s aged care sector prepares for a landmark overhaul originally scheduled to commence on 1 July, Aged Care Deloraine has positioned itself at the forefront of compliance and innovation, ahead of the new national standards that are now scheduled to take effect from 1 November.
Acting CEO Matt Flakemore, speaking from the Grenoch facility, detailed how the new standards — part of a broader reform aligned with the incoming Aged Care Act — represent a fundamental shift in the philosophy and regulation of care. “The new act and the new strengthened standards address about a hundred of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s recommendations,” Flakemore said.
Letter to the Editor
The overhaul has been a year in the making, with Aged Care Deloraine’s board and management undertaking a comprehensive gap analysis to identify areas needing improvement. “Everything we’ve been implementing, we’ve done at the time,” said Flakemore. “It’s just been a slow process over the last 12 months.” Aged Care Deloraine has already implemented many of the required changes, so there will be very few noticeable changes for residents and staff after 1 July.
One of the most striking changes is the expansion in regulatory oversight. Where the previous standards involved reporting on 44 requirements, the new framework demands accountability across 146 actions. These new actions are not only more rigorous but also more resident-focused. “It’s really bringing in a stronger emphasis on things like food and nutrition, clinical care, dementia care, [and] that consumer engagement kind of side of things, which we really already do well but really want to improve on,” he explained.
This shift reflects a philosophical change in aged care: from an institutional model focused on illness, to one that prioritises quality of life, dignity, and choice. “We’re trying to bring our residents along for more decision making if they want to,” Flakemore said, noting an emphasis on increased autonomy and involvement. “Some more community engagement, so getting our name out there. Providing more opportunities for the residents to attend community events.”
Food and nutrition are now central pillars under the new standards, with Aged Care Deloraine responding by upgrading its software systems to ensure dietary needs are tracked and implemented seamlessly. “Everything flows from the clinical software through into the catering software so staff are up to date with residents’ needs,” Flakemore said. The facility has also introduced texture-modified meals that visually resemble regular food, such as pureed steak presented in a recognisable form, improving dignity and appeal at mealtimes.
The North Coast Post: BSB 633 000 · Account number: 2366 8 9535
The reforms also establish clearer staffing requirements. Aged Care providers are mandated to provide 215 care minutes per day. Flakemore noted. “We have continually provided higher than required care minutes to our residents, averaging about 227 minutes per day. This means we are able to staff our facilities appropriately and have that confidence that there are enough staff to support our residents at all times.”
On the financial front, a new fee model introduces a 2% annual deduction from Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs), capped at 10% over five years. “From November, there’ll be a retention amount taken out,” Flakemore explained. “It’s not something Aged Care Deloraine’s put in place. It’s the new funding model.” He emphasised that the change would not affect current residents and was aimed at increasing revenue in a sector where over half of facilities are operating at a loss.
With a five-star rating at Grenoch and four stars at Kanangra, Aged Care Deloraine is optimistic. “We’re really proud of that,” Flakemore said. “We’ve worked to get these new standards in place ready to go from the original commencement date in July, and we’re confident in our ability to continue providing a high standard of care and support under the new standards.”
