Report on the Need for Regulation of Mobility Scooters Released
Published 18 October 2018
The Senate inquiry into the need for regulation of mobility scooters, also known as motorised wheelchairs, released its final report on 20 September 2018.
Change to MRI Referrals by GPs
Published 18 October 2018
From 1 November 2018, GPs will no longer be able to make referrals for knee-MRIs for patients 50-and-older. Instead, the GP must refer patients to a specialist, who is then able to make the referral if they think it is necessary.
Mandatory Reporting on Staffing Ratios
Published 26 September 2018
Rebekha Sharkie MP from the Centre Alliance Party has introduced legislation into the federal Parliament to force nursing homes to publish how many staff are rostered on at any point.
Hearing Impaired Robbed of Smoke Alarm Subsidy
Published 20 September 2018
There is a glaring gap for people with hearing impairment over 65 trying to access smoke alarms.
Aged Care Royal Commission: A Business Improvement Initiative?
Published 20 September 2018
On Sunday 16 September 2018, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a Royal Commission into aged care, but you wonder why.
Electricity Prices on the Way Down?
Published 20 September 2018
A recently announced Australian Government decision has the potential to significantly ease electricity costs.
Fees for Paper Bills Decision Delayed
Published 20 September 2018
Update on the fees for paper bills decision.
Why the Pension Age Must Stay at 67
Published 20 September 2018
The Australian Government has ditched its plan to raise the age at which people become eligible for the Age Pension to 70. It held on to the plan for more than three years after announcing it as part of Budget 2015.
Energy Supplement Safe!
Published 20 September 2018
The Australian Government has decided to abandon plans to axe the Energy Supplement,
Minimum Wage for Pensioners: New Social Security Commission
Published 20 September 2018
The Victorian independent Member of the federal Parliament Cathy McGowan has introduced a private member’s Bill to establish a social security commission.
A Catch When Switching Super Funds
Published 20 September 2018
With all the talk recently about underperforming retail superannuation funds, you could be tempted to switch to a better performing fund. However, there can be a catch.
ASIC Slams Reverse Mortgages
Published 20 September 2018
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) reviewed 17,000 actual reverse mortgages which older people had taken out on their homes.
How Nursing Home Industry Saves Half a Billion Dollars a Year on Staff
Published 20 September 2018
The trial of an on-call medical service for 24 nursing homes in Brisbane has prevented more than 600 unnecessary trips to the hospital emergency department and up to 500 unnecessary hospitalisations over a 12-month period.
Nursing Home Medications: Why staffing Ratios Are Important
Published 20 September 2018
Nearly two-thirds of nursing home residents are given psychiatric drugs every day. A drug use survey by the University of Tasmania has shown that 61 per cent of 11,300 residents in 150 homes were on daily doses of benzodiazepines, a type of tranquilliser drug, or antidepressants, many of which were also a sedative. [more]
No Freedom of Information under Single Aged Care Quality Framework
Published 20 September 2018
The Aged Care (Single Quality Framework) Reform Bill 2018 has cleared the Senate, but the sector will maintain its secrecy and culture of cover-ups.
CPSA Calls for an Internet Supplement
Published 31 August 2018
Services like Centrelink and Medicare have achieved huge cost savings by moving online. However, accessing services online comes at a cost to pensioners and other low income households. The creation of an Internet Supplement would help pensioners keep up in a digital world. [more]
Unanswered: 22 Million Centrelink Calls Per Year
Published 30 August 2018
Fifty five million calls to Centrelink call centres went unanswered during 2016-2017. Of these, the Minister for Human Services said, 20 per cent were repeat calls made through apps.
Labor to Reinstate Energy Supplement if Scrapped
Published 29 August 2018
Federal Labor has made a pre-election promise to reinstate the Energy Supplement if the Australian Parliament votes to scrap it.
Super Contributions in Retirement
Published 27 August 2018
If you are retired but have a part time job or perhaps do seasonal work, your employer pays you 9.5 per cent on top of your pay as your Superannuation Guarantee.This money needs to go into a superannuation account.
GPs are Fed Up with the Aged Care System Too
Published 24 August 2018
A recent survey by the Australian Medical Association shows GPs are quitting residential aged care in droves.
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