The future of aged care: Renewal and reform take centre stage at DACCS conference

The Diocesan Aged and Community Care Services (DACCS) conference made a welcome return from 11-12 September, gathering over 60 professionals from the aged and community care sector at The Link, Sawtell. With the theme of ‘Renewal and Reform,’ the conference provided a much-needed platform for staff to reconnect and exchange ideas after the challenges faced by the sector in recent years. The conference was coordinated by the Diocesan Aged Care Secretariat. 

The event featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including Stewart Brown Senior Partner, Grant Corderoy; Catholic Health CEO, Jason Kara; and Catholic Health Director of Aged Care Policy, Laura Haylen. The speakers addressed industry trends and challenges, focusing on how renewal and reform can help aged care services navigate a complex regulatory environment while ensuring high-quality care for older Australians. 

One of the highlights was the opening address from Bishop Greg Homeming, who spoke about the spiritual and practical dimensions of aged care. He highlighted the importance of compassion in caregiving and the Diocese’s ongoing dedication to supporting aged and community care services. 

In addition, Crowley Care CEO, Michael Penhey presented the evolution of the Diocesan Aged Care Secretariat, which is coordinated by St Francis Xavier Parish, Ballina. The Secretariat, founded in 2007, oversees compliance of aged care services across the Diocese. 

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. DACCS Secretariat Executive Officer, Kelli Potts, highlighted how valuable the conference was for professionals across the Diocese. “We received excellent feedback from staff, who appreciated the opportunity to come together and discuss the future of our services face-to-face. The theme of renewal truly resonated, and it was exciting to see so many innovative ideas shared,” Kelli said. 

With DACCS staff reinvigorated by the conference, there is a sense of optimism for the future of aged care services within the Diocese. The success of the event reflects the sector’s resilience and its commitment to ongoing improvement. Next year’s DACCS Conference is already highly anticipated, with the hope it will build on the positive conversations that were started this year.