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18th July 2024
The Importance of Accurate and Up-to-Date Accommodation Information
Governance
As an aged care provider, maintaining accurate and up-to-date information regarding your accommodation offerings is crucial. This ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and fosters trust and transparency with potential residents and their families. The following guidelines will help you meet the commission’s expectations effectively.
1. Keep Accommodation Deposit Approvals Current
Why It’s Important: Accommodation deposits, often referred to as Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs), are significant financial commitments for residents and their families. Ensuring these deposits are approved and up-to-date is essential for legal compliance and financial transparency.
What You Need to Do:
Regular Review: Schedule regular reviews of all deposit approvals. This can be done monthly or quarterly, depending on your home’s size and turnover rate.
Update Records: Ensure that any changes in deposit amounts or policies are promptly updated in your records and communicated to relevant parties. Note that the draft newly strengthened standards include 1.4.4: ‘The provider informs the older person of any changes to previously agreed fees and charges and seeks their informed consent to implement these changes before they are made’.
Compliance Checks: Regularly check that your deposit practices comply with current regulations and standards set by governing bodies.
2. Maintain Accurate Accommodation Prices on Your Website and Printed Materials
Why It’s Important: Accurate pricing information on your website and printed materials is vital for prospective residents and their families to make informed decisions. Misleading or outdated prices can damage your home’s reputation and lead to legal complications.
What You Need to Do:
Website Updates: Ensure your website is regularly updated with the latest accommodation prices. Assign a team member or use automated tools to check and update this information frequently.
Printed Materials: Any brochures, flyers, or other printed materials should reflect the current prices. Schedule regular reprints to incorporate any price changes.
Consistency: Ensure that the pricing information is consistent across all platforms and materials. Discrepancies can lead to confusion and mistrust.
3. Ensure Accommodation Prices are Accurate on the My Aged Care Portal
Why It’s Important: The My Aged Care portal is a critical resource for many families seeking aged care services. Accurate pricing information on this platform ensures transparency and helps families plan financially for their loved ones’ care.
What You Need to Do:
- Regular Updates: Similar to your website, the My Aged Care portal should be regularly updated with the latest accommodation prices. Set reminders to check and update this information at least monthly.
- Verification: After updating, verify that the changes are correctly reflected on the portal. This can prevent any discrepancies that might confuse prospective residents.
Staying on top of accommodation deposit approvals and ensuring the accuracy of your accommodation prices across all platforms are essential tasks for aged care providers. By regularly reviewing and updating this information, you not only comply with regulatory requirements but also build trust with potential residents and their families. Make these practices a routine part of your operations to uphold the highest standards of transparency and reliability in your aged care services.