Specified Care and Services & Extra Services Benchmark List
October 2012
SPECIFIED CARE & SERVICES / EXTRA SERVICES BENCHMARK LIST / ASSESSED NEEDS /
Item and Description / Part I
Hotel Services – to be provided for all residents who need them / Part II
Care and Services for all – to be provided for all residents who need them / Part III High Care Services – to be provided for residents receiving a high level of care / Description / Principle / Features / Services to be provided to all residents / Fee for Service ? /
ACCOMMODATION
Item 1.2
Maintenance of all buildings and grounds
Item 1.3
Accommodation / 1.2 Adequately maintained buildings and grounds
Includes:
•gardening
•maintenance within and outside of home; and
•any repairs and replacements required due to normal wear and tear
Excludes:
•repairs and replacements required because of deliberate damage
1.3 Utilities such as electricity and water.
Includes:
•inspection of Approved Provider’s electrical equipment for occupational health and safety purposes;
•telephone sockets;
•access to pay telephone; and
•the cost of heating/cooling the facility to provide a comfortable environment.
Excludes:
•inspection of resident’s electrical equipment for occupational health and safety purposes. A resident may choose who undertakes the electrical inspection and who they pay for this service, i.e. a qualified electrician on behalf of the service, or a qualified electrician of the resident’s choice.
•if a resident chooses to use an additional personal heating/ cooling unit for their individual use (in addition to an effective cooling/heating system provided by the service) then the resident may be responsible for the costs of running the system.
The Approved Provider must inform the resident beforehand about the financial policies and arrangements in place regarding personal heating/cooling systems and this should be included in the resident agreement or in a variation to the resident agreement; and
•telephone line rental and handset for the resident’s personal use / 19.1
Accommodation / A range of accommodation and furnishing choices is available to residents in well maintained buildings and grounds that meet, or are being refurbished to meet, requirements of the 2008 certification standards for new buildings as a minimum. Choices of recreational and communal spaces are available to support varying interactions in an atmosphere that is comfortably social and homelike. Furniture, furnishings and fittings are of a superior standard and indicate that professional attention has been given to the nature of the fittings, the use of a consistent style or styles and the creation of appropriate colour schemes. / 19.1.1. Accommodation Features
1(a) Individual single rooms have an average floor area of 16m² or more (excluding ensuite); OR
1(b) Individual single rooms have an average floor area of 14m² or more (excluding ensuite); OR
1(c) Individual single rooms have an average floor area of 12m² or more (excluding ensuite).
2 Availability, subject to agreement of resident or family, of ‘smart room’ systems in residents' rooms to assist people living with dementia, e.g. movement, light and heating sensors
3. Provision of toilets and showers over and above the ratios for 2008 certification requirements
4. More than 50% of rooms are private single rooms, with options for shared rooms at the request of residents, subject to availability
5. Heating and cooling systems for residents’ rooms that are individually controllable by the resident or staff
6(a) Internal lounge / dining / sitting rooms at a minimum ratio of 1 per 10 residents;OR
6(b) Internal lounge /dining / sitting rooms at a minimum ratio of 1 per 15 residents; OR
6(c) Internal lounge /dining / sitting room spaces provided on the basis of at least 3m² per resident.
7. At least one private function/dining room for residents and visitors, separate from main dining area(s)
8. Natural light and vistas to a majority of residents' rooms
9. Courtyards, balconies or verandahs accessible to a majority of residents
10. Substantial landscaped gardens, readily accessible to residents, including residents with mobility aids
11. Professionally landscaped, secure gardens designed for people living with dementia
1.4, 1.5 Bedding & 3.1
Furnishings
3.2 Bedding materials / 1.4 Bed side lockers, chairs with arms, containers for personal laundry, dining, lounge and recreational furnishings, draw screens (for shared rooms), resident wardrobe space, and towel rails
Excludes furnishings a resident chooses to provide.
The words “to be provided for all residents who need them” does not mean if the resident cannot provide them. Aged care services are required to supply these
items, unless a resident specifically wishes to bring their own items with them.
Whether the resident can bring their own choice of furniture into the service is at the discretion of the Approved Provider and must meet occupational health and safety considerations.
Includes:
•a comfortable lounge chair for each resident to meet their support and comfort needs.
Excludes:
•specific chair requested by a resident for their own use, as an alternative to a suitable chair provided by the home. / Note: excludes chairs requested by resident / 3.1 Includes Over bed tables
3.2 Bedding materials
Bed Rails, incontinence sheets, restrainers, ripples mattresses, sheepskins, tri-pillows and water and air mattresses appropriate to each resident’s condition / 19.1.2 Accommodation furniture and fittings / Designer-selected, superior décor and fittings. Examples of fittings are: wall panelling, works of art, quality light fittings, adjustable lighting levels, curtains, blinds, differing colour schemes. Includes quality furniture of a superior fabric and style, maintained to a high standard, comparable to furniture found in people's homes, e.g. mantelpieces/fireplaces, pianos, display cupboards, occasional tables, hall tables etc.
OR
· Colour coordinated decor and quality fittings. Includes quality furniture, maintained to a high standard, comparable to furniture found in people's homes, e.g. mantelpieces/fireplaces, pianos, display cupboards, occasional tables, hall tables etc.
· Superior quality floor coverings (e.g. carpet, cushion back vinyl) in common areas and residents' rooms
· Tea and coffee making facilities provided in residents' rooms, when requested and appropriate
· TV connection capability provided in all residents' rooms
· Phone connection capability provided in all residents' rooms
· Computer and/or cable or satellite TV connection capability provided to all residents’ rooms
· Sufficient dedicated power points for appliances in residents’ rooms (with a minimum of four power sockets)
· Electric adjustable bed provided for any resident who requests it
· Objects and layout designed to offer sensory cues and / or to control stimuli for people living with dementia.
19.1.3 Accommodation / Maximum of 3 features can be nominated
FOOD
Item 1.10 and 2.2
Meals and refreshments / 1.10
(a) Meals of adequate variety, quality and quantity for each resident, served each day at times generally acceptable to both residents and management, and generally consisting of 3 meals per day plus morning tea, afternoon tea and supper;
(b) Special dietary requirements, having regard to either medical need or religious or cultural observance;
(c) Food, including fruit of adequate variety, quality and quantity, and non-alcoholic beverages, including fruit juice.
Includes:
• quality food in accordance with residents’ individual nutritional needs. Residents should be consulted about menu planning to ensure that menu choices take into account their preferences;
• food appropriate to meet medical, cultural and religious needs as well as special dietary requirements e.g. vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten
free, low fat and thickened drinks if required by an individual resident; and
• nutritional supplements — for residents who are assessed by an appropriate health professional such as a dietician or a doctor as needing a special dietary
requirement, such as Ensure, Two-Cal, Sustagen etc to ensure they receive adequate nourishment and hydration.
Excludes:
• if a resident who has NOT been assessed as requiring a food supplement requests such a supplement in addition to their full diet, then the resident may be asked to purchase such an item. / 2.2 Special diet not normally provided (excludes food supplements unless specified by HCP).
Aged care services must provide individual residents with medically prescribed special diets or components of special diets they would not normally provide to other residents if the resident needs a special diet (see Item 1.10).
Additional funding is only available for formula provided enterally. For example, it is not available for the same formula taken orally.
An enteral feeding supplement is available on application from the Approved Provider to the Department of Health
and Ageing if this is supported by medical certification of the resident’s ongoing need. Enteral Feeding Subsidies cover the cost of enteral feeding supplements and the resident must be receiving a complete food formula by means of nasogastric, gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube.
Subsidy also covers for flexitaners, giving sets and hire costs of mechanical pumps. / 19.2 Food / Residents have access to a wide range of main meals, snack meals and beverage options at times of their choosing. The enjoyment and experience of meals is enhanced by the setting, personal services, and use of quality china, glassware, linen and cutlery. Residents' preferences for meal services are sought and acted upon and a range of options is available for residents with restricted ability to eat some foods. / 19.2.1 Food
22(a) Choice of at least 3 hot dishes, excluding porridge, at each breakfast, eg eggs, bacon, sausages (each counts as one dish); OR
22(b) Choice of at least 2 hot dishes, excluding porridge, at each breakfast; OR
22(c) One hot dish, excluding porridge, at each breakfast
23(a) Choice of at least 3 main courses plus entrée/soup and/or a choice of desserts at lunch and dinner
[Only one sandwich or toast-based meal is counted as a main meal choice. For example, the choice of a sandwich, or poached eggs on toast, or a chicken casserole is counted as two choices of main meal, not three]; OR
23(b) Choice of at least 2 main courses plus entrée/soup and/or a choice of desserts at lunch and dinner
[Only one sandwich or toast-based meal is counted as a main meal choice. For example, the choice of a sandwich, or poached eggs on toast, or a chicken casserole is counted as two choices of main meal, not three].
24 Choice of quality wine, beer, soft drinks at main meals
25 Pre-dinner drinks / cocktail time / happy hour at least once a week
26 * BBQs / special occasion meals provided over and above routine social and cultural meals and events provided as part of Specified Care and Services or claimable under the Resident Classification Scale
27 All meals are prepared by chef or cook on site. Superior quality cuts and ingredients, fresh vegetables etc are consistently used.
28 Enhanced dining experience for residents, e.g., enjoyable aromas, ability to view food before it is served (in dining room); fine china, linen and cutlery; meal presentation; choice of seating.
29 Choice of dining venues: in resident's own room, other room or dining rooms as requested by resident
30 Residents can exercise choice of time for breakfast, lunch and dinner (each meal available for at least 1.5 hours)
31 Availability for each resident of their preferred hot meal presented at least twice per week (subject to dietary restrictions)
32 Meals available for guests on request
33 A selection of light meals available at morning tea, afternoon tea and supper (additional to fresh fruit and biscuits)
34 Selection of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available 24 hours / day (additional to water, tea/coffee, juices, fruit, biscuits)
19.2.2 Food –
Innovation and special features / Maximum of 3 features can be nominated
SERVICES
1.11 and 2.5
Resident Social activities/ Recreational therapy / 1.11 Programs to encourage residents to take part in social activities that promote and protect their dignity, and to take part in community life outside the residential care service.
This care and service item is considered essential for the general health and wellbeing of residents.
Aged care services are expected to consult with residents and/or their representatives in the planning and
development of activity programs and base the activities offered on the needs, wishes and abilities of residents.
While residents may choose not to be involved in social activities, services should discuss the reasons for nonparticipation
with a resident and/or their representative.
Excludes:
• special pharmacy medication packaging for social leave; and
• outing costs e.g. transport costs, entry fees and food; however, many homes may choose to pay for these costs. Residents must be advised in advance of any costs. / 2.5 Recreational activities suited to residents, participation in the activities, and communal recreational equipment.
This item is considered essential for the general health and wellbeing of residents. Services are expected to
consult with residents and/or their representatives so they can provide activities that residents enjoy and include activities that cater to minority interests.
While residents may choose not to be involved in social activities, services should discuss the reasons
for non-participation with the resident and/or their representative (see Item 1.11).
Excludes:
• outing costs e.g. transport costs, entry fees and food; however, many services choose to pay the costs. Residents must be advised in advance of any costs; and
• the Approved Provider is not expected to provide craft supplies at no additional cost. / 19.3 Services
Each service is to be provided at no additional cost to the resident unless a specific note about cost is included in the description / Residents are able to select from a wide range of lifestyle and interest activities and personal services, over and above their assessed care needs. Individual residents' choices and preferences are respected and residents are consulted about changes or innovations in services they would like. In conjunction with the regular review of each resident’s health status and care plan, and within the overall set of services available, each resident is offered the opportunity to re-align the services they receive to their changing lifestyle. / 36 (a) One or more large screen TV with video / DVD in a lounge area, with cable/satellite TV. Sound system and choice of CDs and cassettes in at least one lounge area (including talking books and music), plus headphones for the use of residents OR
36(b) One or more large screen TV with video / DVD in a lounge area with no cable/satellite TV
37(a) Provision of colour TV, with remote control capability, to each resident's room OR
37(b) Provision of telephone handset to each resident's room
38 Substantial DVD / video library, with regular updating of stock and/or library of at least 100 books available, in good condition, and suitable for residents to read, including large print books.
39 A local or national daily newspaper provided for each resident on request, with residents able to select from a choice of at least 2 papers. A selection of current issues of weekly and monthly magazines available in lounge areas.
40 Private gardening areas / garden beds for residents, including areas in gardens specifically designed for persons living with dementia, with raised beds available and some plants
41 Separate external buildings available for residents’ leisure activities, e.g., workshop, garden shed, gazebo
42* Activities offered to residents as additional choices that are available to them as individuals. These are to be over and above activities that are either:
- routine in-house group or individual activities provided as part of Specified
Care and Services; or
- activities provided to meet the resident's assessed care needs.
43 * Outings offered to residents as additional choices that are available to them as individuals. These are to be over and above outings that are either:
- routine in-house group or individual outings provided as part of Specified Care and Services; or
- outings that are provided to meet the resident's assessed care needs.
Residents may be asked to pay for the cost of admission to events or venues.
44 Provision of dedicated bus fitted appropriately for the transport of residents
19.3.2 Services – enhanced personal services / 45 * Additional personal grooming and beauty services (e.g. facials, manicures) chosen by the resident for personal enjoyment. These are to be over and above services that are either:
- routine services provided as part of Specified Care and Services; or
- services that are provided to meet the resident's assessed care needs.
Resident to pay for cost of the service.
46 Dedicated hairdressing salon
47 Additional elective tactile or massage services chosen by the resident for personal enjoyment. These are to be over and above services that are either:
- routine services provided as part of Specified Care and Services; or
- services that are provided to meet the resident's assessed care needs.
Resident to pay for cost of the service.
48 * Recognised superior brand name toiletries provided in addition to those provided as part of Specified Care and Services
49 * Provision of escort to outside appointments, as requested by resident or family
19.3.3 Services – Innovations, culture of service and special features / Maximum of 5 features can be nominated
1