AN-ACC (Australian National Aged Care Classification) is the new funding model for Residential Aged Care providers in Australia.

AN-ACC is designed to provide more equitable care funding to providers that better matches the costs of delivering care and the needs of residents. As part of the new model, providers are required under legislation to make allied health services available to residents who need them. 

Plena Healthcare has been working closely with residential aged care providers to prepare for implementation on 1 October 2022. Providers are searching for effective, sustainable, agile, and commercial service models that allow them to meet their legislated requirements. An exciting opportunity exists for residential aged care providers and allied health providers to work together to introduce an evidence-based and consumer-centred allied health model aimed at restoration and maintenance of independence, improvement of mobility and function, and promotion of wellbeing and quality of life. 

Plena Healthcare’s Plena Care Pathway provides an innovative service model supporting consumers through their entire residential aged care journey. It is an efficient and sustainable model allowing for effective distribution of resources, ensuring residents can access the health services they need through consumer-focused goal setting, individualised treatment planning and tailored therapy. 

A unique aspect of the service model is the therapy service component, which aims to optimise and maintain function and mobility, and includes the management of pain.

Recent pilots of the Plena Care Pathway across multiple providers have produced promising results across a number of outcomes*:

  • 85% of participants in one pilot improved their functional outcome measurement
  • 85% of participants reported improved pain scores
  • 90% of participants achieved the goals they set with their therapist
  • 80% of participants had a reduction in behaviours, with a 23% reduction in wandering and physical agitation.

Residential aged care staff observed improvements in participation in activities of daily living (ADL), improvements in appetite, sleep, mood and anxiety , along with reductions in falls and pressure injuries. 

In addition to improved outcomes for residents, Plena Care Pathway can result in reduced cost of care for providers as a result of improved restorative outcomes, as well as improved alignment to quality standards, National Quality Indicator Program (NQIP), and the proposed star rating system.  

Plena Healthcare will continue to work closely with residential aged care providers to support their transition to AN-ACC. Implementation of the new service model has already commenced across multiple providers nationally, delivering gold standard allied health services within the aged care sector, and leading the industry into the future. 

For more information, speak with your Relationship Manager or complete our online contact form.

*results from pilots conducted in 2022 in four residential aged care facilities, with 59 participants.