Aged Care - WHO Cares
So If your anyone who is remotely connected to a Television or Radio at the moment you cannot fail to hear just how bad the aged care system supposedly is:
A. Terrible staffing ratios
B. Terrible standards of care and quality
C. Greedy operators making huge profits on the back of our elders
Having spent most of my adult career dedicated to this sector, the people who work in it and the people who live in it, I can absolutely attest that these stories are one sided.
Yes you would expect someone who works in these sector to defend it, but let me use a story that is relevant to counteract that thought.
Every year my children get dressed up as bunnies with their bunny baskets filled with eggs and visit an aged care facility to spread love, sheer and joy to our elders lives.
This year my children visited two different local aged care services, neither operated by me.
The children had an absolute blast for 3.5 hours - it made their day and encouraged them to see our elders as a natural part of our life - not one we put into a care home behind big walls and attempt to forget about.
These services were both well run, clean, vibrant and staffed according to need - as was evidenced by regular staffing interventions and happy customers.
Residential Aged Care employs about 370,000 staff Nation wide and cares for approximately 192,000 at any given time, and does an outstanding job.
Instead of investing millions into bashing into aged care providers - WHY don't we as a society take that money and invest it into there care and support? That way we would all win.
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6 年And the government continues to try to repair it the wrong way try getting on the floor personell to give information to fix rather that statistitions who know nothing of the workings of aged care rather than more regulations and audits increase staff level improve wages mandatory roster systems to prevent fatigue. The audit or assesment process should include assesing if adequate staff were present to provide the care documented and use of the care plans and progress notes to validate compliance
Experienced Executive | GAICD | Championing healthy ageing, to live our best lives
6 年Wonderful article Luke! There is always a great power in championing the good work achieved in this sector. Encouragement is very motivating and often leads to a more positive impact on all people. An example of true leadership.
Well put Luke, you are a champion and I have seen your energy and enthusiasm for first-hand both in the head office function and in action in an aged care setting. What a wonderful way for you to involve your kids, you must be very proud. All the best mate.
Director - South Australia (CYF), Director SA, NSW and SE QLD (Disability services)
6 年It is very demoralising for all the fabulous staff when work hard each and every day to make life better for the elderly. The media need to balance the bad news with good news - all the media is doing is making families more anxious and staff upset - neither if which allows us to work together to make the sector better xx