Whether it be more social interactions or more aged care funding, there are things that the government and society can do to improve the quality of life of older Australians.
This is what the Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, spoke about at the National Press Club in Canberra.
“In respect of our ageing society, not only should we always acknowledge and value our elders for the contribution they have made, we must create opportunities for them to continue giving to, and sharing in, our communities,” said Minister Wyatt
“How we consider and care for our elders is the ultimate reflection on ourselves.”
“Our elders should hold a special place in our society – they are not to be sent away or shunned, but remain fundamental to family groups and communities, as wisdom-givers.”
The elderly are particularly susceptible to loneliness and social isolation for a number of reasons – and this is often amplified when a person lives in aged care.
“I have heard that up to 40 per cent of people in residential aged care have no visitors 365 days of the year.”
“It saddens me immensely …. especially those with varying degrees of dementia, receive no visitors.”
“For those of you listening, I want you to cast your mind to the last time you told your mother, father, husband, wife or partner that you still love them and if you can hug them.”
“For me, one of the most disturbing trends I see in Australian ageing is loneliness.”
“We must all ask ourselves: ‘Do I want to be abandoned in my later years? Is this what my elders deserve? Is this how I want to live out my days?’”
We must champion inclusion, and reach out to senior Australians. We must offer our hearts and our hands in love and respect.
“When I talk to people in Aged Care, I find so many who crave simple touch, a hug, the warmth of palms clasped together, or a soothing hand on their shoulder.”
“Coming together, looking after the lonely – these are surely hallmarks of the Australia we want, but this is a challenge for our society, not something that governments alone can solve.”
All Australians have inherent rights, built on a foundation of dignity which should not in any way diminish with age.
However, elder abuse appears to be all to frequent in aged care, and Minister Wyatt acknowledges that something needs to be done about it.
“Elder abuse is unacceptable, and will only be stamped out when it is confronted and corrected, and the Turnbull Government is now leading a national agenda to address this.”
“The more lifestyle options and social connections people have, the less likely they are to suffer from abuse.”
“We shouldn’t allow any senior Australian to be subjected to some of the events that have happened.”
“Maggots in the mouth when you are admitted to a Canberra Hospital is not appropriate. Wounds that should have been dealt with when they were small ulcers should not be allowed to develop to a large pressure wound.”
“And some of the other events that occur I will continue to work with my agency and with all of the aged care providers to make sure that we collectively commit to providing a very safe home for senior Australians.”
“Because I want to be able to go into aged care when I get to that point knowing that I’m going to get care that will look after me until the day I pass away. And that is what I want, but I want quality care in that total mix.”
Minster Wyatt also said that the advocacy groups had been raising this issue with him for some time.
Around 1.3 million people access government-funded aged care in 2015-16. These included:
The minister stated that the Government will spend more than $330 billion over the next five years for senior Australians.
There is a high demand for home support, so the government have allocated $5.5 billion to extend the Commonwealth Home Support Program until 2020, to provide lower-level services.
“This investment is part of our record $100 billion aged care commitment over the next five years, an annual growth rate of 6 per cent.”
“To help guarantee supply of residential care, this year I have announced the rollout of almost 10,000 new places, valued at $649 million in recurrent funding.”
“Additionally, an extra $64 million in capital grants will fund re-development or construction of new care projects, with $34.7 million for 475 new short-term restorative care places.”
“A particular focus across these new allocations is ensuring rural, regional and remote residents have aged care support.”
Dementia is the second most common cause of death in Australia, and there is no cure.
Without a medical intervention, it’s predicted the number of people with the condition will rise to more than 900,000 by 2050.
With these kinds of growing numbers, there is a need to improve the dementia care that is offered within aged care
“I have convened a series of dementia forums, and we are currently investing $200 million in dementia research,” said Minister Wyatt.
“Already, over half the permanent residents in Government-funded aged care facilities have some form of dementia.”
“It’s a top priority for ageing Australia, and I applaud the dedicated staff and the innovation of many providers on this front.”
The aged care sector employs around 366,000 people, approximately 3 per cent of Australia’s total workforce.
About two thirds of these are in residential care, and overall staff numbers are forecast to almost triple in the next 40 years.
The Productivity Commission estimates almost 1 million people will be needed to work in aged care by 2050.
“So this is also about jobs of the future – from horticulture and catering, to nursing, caring and senior management.”
“Just yesterday the ABS released its latest workforce data that highlights aged care as one the nation’s fastest growing job markets.”
There has been a stigma with working in aged care – a career that some people ignorantly feel has little worth or value.
“It’s time to realise it is a career of choice, and a profession for life,” says Minister Wyatt.
At the Press Club, Minister Wyatt announced that a taskforce is currently being formed, led by Professor John Pollaers and backed with a $2 million budget, to consult widely and create a workforce strategy to support our aged care future.
“While getting the workforce right is one of the pillars of quality care, we are facing a broader issue of how much the community cares for individuals, as well.”
What do you have to say? Comment, share and like below.
I worked in aged care for 6 months and was punished by senior staff for giving the care and extra time that our clients so desperately need. We had to rush all the clients showers in the morning like to was race to get it done to keep up with your buddy staff on the other side of the hall.. ..then to see that this allowed the staff (carers not nursing staff) enough time to gather around to have a chat and a mingle out of site of the managers. When I had my performance review I was told I was too slow (really I just wanted to give that extra bit of time to the elderly in my care, that I could see that desperately needed, I was so outraged and let my manager know what was going on, how the staff rushed the clients….the RN took steps to eventually fire me (casual staff it was easy)….because I spoke up about this.
I had the same when I was doing my training for my AIN over 15 yrs ago. I still work in aged care but now I work in home service for carers. When I need to take a client to an aged care facility I take them a few times to get them used to the facility and also to view the workers and their ability to interact with challenging behaviours . If the facility doesnt stand up to what I believe to be quality care to all its clients I will not take that client there and find another facility. I also will do the same with Aged care companies. -I will also report them if they show any signs of abuse. 15 yrs I have been working in this area and have seen alot. – some I dont ever want to see again but also some amazing and beautiful souls who care deeply about the elderly.
I volunteered for 8 months this year at a nursing home in Burnside Vic , and had a great relationship with the residents they were like my second family we had so much fun and laughter,, but the way the Life Style Manager started treating me I was forced to leave, the residents and I were so sad when I went and told them I had to leave.
Minister you say 5.5 billion has been allocated for low level home services – what about the high level services which people with terminal illnesses are waiting 2 years or more for?
Level 2 is no good to these people when they are assessed by ACAT as Level 3 or 4 high care.
My appeals to My Aged care fall on deaf ears. I do hope you co not get final stage Parkinson’s disease in your Aged years.
If the intention is to keep people in their own homes then something is very wrong In the system. Most elderly would not be aware of the amount that is taken from a package by the Providor Companies before any care is provided to the client……….usually from 30% in fees.
The aged care act needs to be seriously looked at.
Can still remember when I was 18 and was working in aged care. It was a male/female place. 12 men and 31 women. It was Mother’s Day and I was helping with the dressing and getting the women all ready to see their families. They were so excited. I gave them their lunch and had some chats with them. It was eventually time for me to go off duty. This was the saddest day for me. Out of all those women, only two families turned up. The others were still waiting. I went into this one room, and I saw one of the residents peaking behind the curtain hoping to see her family. She had tears and I was choked up with emotion. There and then, I stayed with with women and went to each one and sat and talked with them. I just couldn’t believe that families could forget about them. It broke my heart. I resigned 6 months later. This happened 47 years ago and I have never forgotten that woman’s face hiding behind the curtain in all these years.
Our small country Aged Care facility is struggling to survive the Government requirements. We only have a 19 bed facility which would be one of the nicest facilities in Australia which has never failed accreditation. This facility may have to be sold to become high care & dementia funded. The government are funding people to stay in their own homes which I do not believe this is always the best out come as many of these aged people do not get the best help in their homes & become very lonely as they do not see people on a daily basis. As I do Community Transport & have Parraplegic Husband I see so many sad & lonly people who don’t understand all the government requirements. We don’t want our facility sold to large corporate facilities who can then take the beds away & shut our precious facility down which would be so damaging to our town & to the people that worked so hard to get our beautiful Cypress View Lodge established.
I have 2 family members in seperate facilities in a rural town ,1 who I have had to transfer to another facility because of sexual abuse by 2 staff members. Investigations failed to identify the perpetrators so they are free to continue their sick ways. I am saddened, frustrated ,angry and disgusted as our vulnerable elderly family members deserve better. All I can say is that 1 day these people too will be old.