HelloLeaders

07/11/2025

As further aged care cracks emerge, how loud will the alarm need to get before reform pivots take place?

Two new senate inquiries into aged care reform announced.

Greens senator Allman-Payne to chair both new inquiries - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/two-new-senate-inquiries-announced-into-aged-care-if-inquiries-are-a-gong-of-alarm-how-much-percussion-will-it-take-for-the-commonwealth-to-hear

Senate announces two new inquiries into aged care reforms. The transition away from CHSP and the structure of Support at Home are to be closely examined, as well as their potential impacts on seniors and the nation.

05/11/2025

Australia's oldest living human being has a beauty of a RAC story to share. It's hope-filled and nutritious. Baked beans feature.

RAC and its hard working staff deserve to be supported and encouraged by true stories. To see care being hit out of the park, for both resident and front-line staff, is critical for the new act to be more than words.

CEO, Chris Mamarelis shares Ken Weeks' story of his time at Whiddon's Grafton RAC and his thriving there - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/australias-oldest-human-being-in-history-has-a-story-for-aged-care-whiddons-ceo-shares-a-powerfully-resonant-reminder-of-what-care-excellence-can-be

Whiddon’s Ken Weeks is Australia’s oldest human-being in history. His RAC story is joyfully real and powerfully resonant for a sector that is navigating much.

05/11/2025

A reckoning is fast approaching for aged care.

The two fault lines of in-home care and ignoring bed build obstacles need an about-turn from government to meet growing future needs - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/australias-ageing-reckoning-the-support-at-home-shambles-and-bed-build-obstacles-two-fault-lines-the-reform-agenda-keeps-ignoring

The two fault lines of in-home preventative care and ignoring bed building obstacles must go from being ignored, to being front and center, to meet the boomer demand that has arrived.

05/11/2025

Food in aged care is no longer just a kitchen issue - it’s a leadership one.

In our latest cover story, Sam Bridgewater of The Pure Food Co shares how mealtimes can drive dignity, safety and compliance under the strengthened Quality Standards.

As reform puts nutrition under the spotlight, this is the moment for boards and executives to rethink what ‘good food’ really means.

Read the full story ➡️ https://helloleaders.com.au/article/from-survival-to-satisfaction-ceo-sam-bridgewaters-mission-to-redefine-mealtimes

📘 Featured in Hello Leaders, Spring 2025 📩 Request your free print copy: [email protected]

04/11/2025

Bulk-billing changes have arrived. GPs opting in hope to make treatment, particularly preventative, easier to access than ever.

While debate continues around further reform, the changes look set to make an impact in areas that need significant support, particularly regional Australia - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/inching-towards-progress-bulk-billing-changes-have-arrived-regional-australia-is-set-to-see-a-sizable-uptake

Bulk-billing changes arrive with hopes to inch towards care accessibility improvements, particularly preventative opportunities for seniors. Concerns for further reform remain.

03/11/2025

Specialist bikes stolen from Victorian aged care facility, Fairway Bayside Aged Care.

Community help is needed to bring home the Cycling Without Age bikes, to the residents that treasure the meaningful joy they bring - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/heart-break-and-hope-sit-with-the-aged-care-community-specialist-bikes-stolen-from-aged-care-facility-in-victoria

Specialist bikes used for Cycling Without Age stolen from aged care facility in Victoria. Hope is the community stepping in to support and help, from inside and outside of aged care.

03/11/2025

Before celebrating, there is still much work to be done to make the new act's rules and costs clear to seniors and providers alike.

Rights-based care starts with being able to navigate the system, and easily understand costs. Many say we are nowhere near close - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/a-complicated-road-to-rights-based-care-while-promising-a-once-in-a-lifetime-change-the-new-act-still-requires-significant-resources-to-understand-and-improve

Once in a lifetime change takes time, from government sources, to provider understanding, rules, costs and navigating it all must become more clear for the seniors at its heart.

02/11/2025

Aged Care Justice provides critical fact sheet for LGBTQIA+ seniors when navigating restrictive practices.

Education is key to empowering both resident and front-line staff - https://helloleaders.com.au/article/education-facilitates-safety-empowering-lgtqia-residents-and-front-line-staff-in-restrictive-practices-in-victoria

Aged Care Justice provides important fact sheet for LGTBTIA+ seniors, as well as front-line staff and providers, to navigate the complex area of restrictive practices in care.

31/10/2025

A new $89 million aged care facility at the historic Sister Kate’s site in Perth will provide culturally safe care for Aboriginal Elders, along with training opportunities for Aboriginal health workers.

30/10/2025

Could shared care budgets transform home care?

Australia’s new Support at Home pooled funding trial will test whether older people can combine part of their budgets to access services together — from shared transport to group programs — and what that means for flexibility, equity and connection.

Lessons from the UK show both promise and pitfalls, but the potential is clear: community might just be the missing piece in consumer-directed care.

https://helloleaders.com.au/article/shared-budgets-shared-risks-why-pooled-funding-could-test-the-limits-of-home-care-reform

Australia’s Support at Home pooled funding trial will test whether older people can combine part of their care budgets to access shared services. Drawing on lessons from the UK, the trial explores how collective funding could improve flexibility, connection and value in home care.

29/10/2025

As the 1 November reforms take effect, frustration with Australia’s home care system is reaching a tipping point.

Fiona Somerville, Managing Director of Acquaint, says families are questioning whether “subsidised” care still offers real value, with capped admin fees pushing hourly rates higher and service hours shrinking.

“People are getting frustrated with delays in getting assessments and then delays in getting services,” she says. “When they do finally qualify, they still face long waits for reassessment as their condition changes.”

Her warning is clear: middle-income Australians risk being squeezed out of both systems — paying more, but receiving less.

https://helloleaders.com.au/article/you-do-get-what-you-pay-for-fiona-somerville-on-why-families-are-ditching-government-home-care

Delays, waiting lists and rising costs are driving more families to abandon government-subsidised home care. Fiona Somerville, Managing Director of Acquaint, says the reforms taking effect on 1 November have done little to ease pressure — and families who can afford to pay more now expect far grea...

28/10/2025

Spring print edition out now

“The new standards make food a boardroom responsibility, not just a kitchen one.”

From compliance to culture, food and nutrition are now matters of governance, dignity and leadership. Sam Bridgewater, Co-Founder of The Pure Food Co, explains how the new standards make every meal a measure of care.

📩 Request your free print copy: [email protected]