Aged Care Service Improvements & Health Ageing Grants

The following questions and answers are specific to this funding round. Please also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page for general questions about applying for DSS grants.

New questions are added to the end of this document.

General questions

1.Can an organisation apply for each of the six priority areas under ASCIHAG, or only submit one application for ACSIHAG funding? (Added 30 June 2014)

Your organisation may submit multiple applications under ACSIHAG, but no more than one application per priority will be assessed. If your organisation submits multiple applications under any one priority, only the latest will be considered.

2.Are only aged care providers eligible for ACSIHAG? (Added 30 June 2014)

Organisations do not need to exclusively operate in the aged care sector to apply for funding under ACSIHAG. For example, proposals from Registered Training Organisations for funding to provide training may be considered, as long as the requirements set out in the ACSIHAG Application Form are met.

3.Can my organisation submit more than one application?

Your organisation can submit more than one application provided each application is for a different project and clearly identifies a primary priority area.

4.What if my application focuses on more than one of the priority areas?

Applicants may only select one priority area as the focus of the project for the Activity. Please choose the priority area that is the main focus of your application.

5.What if my application has a national focus and is not targeting a specific State, territory or Community?

Please select all States and Territories if your proposed project has a national focus.

6.Is there a minimum or maximum amount my organisation can apply for in our application?

There is no specific minimum or maximum grant amount you can apply for. However the total funding available under ACSIHAG is limited up to $53 million over the funding period (between
1 January 2015 and 30 June 2017). This amount will support a range of initiatives under ACSIHAG. Further information about the funding priorities and key areas of focus can be found in the ACSIHAG Guidelines Overview and the Funding Round Summary

Priority Questions

(See Funding Round Summary document for more information about priorities)

Priority 1 – Activities that promote healthy and active ageing

1. What kinds of activities promote healthy and active ageing?

Activities that meet the requirements of this priority could include: increasing access to information so that older people can make informed decisions; providing intervention and management strategies that support older people, their carers, family and friends, health professionals and service providers; creating an environment that is respectful of all older people and takes into account the older person’s individual needs.

Priority 2 - Respond to existing and emerging challenges including dementia care

2.What kinds of activities could support GPs and practicenurses to undertake a more timely diagnosis of dementia?

Activities could include education, training and the development of diagnostic pathways.

3.What activities is Government seeking to fund to improve the care of people with dementia in acute care?

Activities that will implement or expand demonstrated, evidence based,and sustainable models of care that improve the care of people with dementia in hospital.

4.What is considered respite care for younger people with dementia?

Respite care for younger people with dementia includes age appropriate models of day care or overnight care integrated in a variety of settings.

Priority 3 – Activities that build the capacity of aged care services to deliver high quality care

5.What is meant by “changes to aged care”?

Thisrefers to the Government’s policy to create a flexible and seamless system that provides older Australians with more choice, control and easier access to a full range of services, where they want it and when they need it. It also positions us to meet the social and economic challenges of the nation’s ageing population.

6.What types of activities will be funded to meet the requirements of this priority?

It is envisaged that funded activities may include, but are not limited to: the promotion and implementation of innovative ways of delivering improved consumer focused aged care services; early identification and management of functional decline incorporating better practice models; translation of evidence-based strategies to practices which improve sleep in older people; and the development of an education package for a national rollout of decision-making tools to help support a restraint-free environment in aged care facilities and the homes of older Australians.

7.What types of activities will be considered for funding to strengthen the links between the aged care and health care systems?

Activities aimed at developing linkages between aged care providers and healthcare providers including primary, subacute and allied health professionals may be supported. These activities must seek to improve access to coordinated healthcare for aged care recipients in the community and residential aged care facilities. Healthcare services may include preventative and restorative care and more complex care such as palliative, end-of-life and psychogeriatric care.

Priority 4 – Support for activities that provide information and support to assist carers

8.Will activities targeting carers of people with disabilities be funded?

As long as long as the people in their care are 65 years of age or over, activities targeting this group may be considered for funding.

Priority 5 – Services providing aged care to ATSI people and people living in remote areas

9.If my proposed activity has a national focus, can I apply under this priority?

Yes, you can apply under this priority if your proposed activity has a national focus and meets the other priority requirements.

10.Do I need to apply under this priority if my proposed activity supports multiple distinct groups, including but not limited to those mentioned in the priority?

If your proposed activity is not directed primarily at the groups mentioned in the priority but instead supports multiple groups, your application should be made under the priority which best suits it.

Priority 6 – Support for older people with diverse needs.

11.Is funding available to support specific groups or communities, e.g., the Greek community?

Activities that support specific groups or communities may be funded, depending on the available funding levels and type of support requested

12.What kinds of activities might be funded under this priority?

Activities might include staff development and training, dissemination of information about high quality aged care practices, providing access to interpreting services, information sessions and referral services, and access to expert assistance.

New Q&As – Added 17 July 2014

13.Given Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants target 65+ people, if we are looking at supporting carers of people with dementia who must be 65+ – the carers or the people with dementia? For example, some carers of elderly people with dementia maybe their siblings who are not aged 65+, and some people aged 65+ maybe carers of a younger person with dementia especially where early onset is involved. (Added 17 July 2014)

Although it is expected that grants funded under this ACSIHAG Funding Round target Australians aged 65 or over, ACSIHAG priority Area 2 includes in its focus people with younger onset dementia, which is when symptoms of dementia are present in those younger than 65. Carers of any age who care for people of all ages with dementia may be included in funding applications which address ACSIHAG Priority 2.