May 06, 2019

Dementia residents suffer under poor staffing numbers

Low ratios of nursing staff in residential aged care facilities is taking a toll on the care provided to residents living with dementia, according to a report released by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) today.

The report ‘Who Cares? Dementia Care in NSW Residential Aged Care Facilities’ highlights the importance of safe staffing and skills mix, with 82% of those surveyed stating insufficient staffing ratios within residential aged care facilities increased the risk of abuse.

General Secretary of the NSWNMA, Brett Holmes, said the report revealed many aged care residents diagnosed with dementia had not received the level of care they deserved because staffing was so poor.

“Many of our members working in rural, not-for-profit facilities are worried about the management of residents with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia or BPSD,” Mr Holmes said.

“Often these are large sites, with a staffing ratio of just one registered nurse to between 50 and 100 residents. Nurses working in these conditions are therefore reporting higher incidences of missed care or the use of restrictive practices.

“Incidences of aggression between residents or residents towards staff, is also higher in facilities with low nursing staff to resident ratios.”

Mr Holmes said the report found 73% of members surveyed had insufficient time to interact with a resident who was displaying signs of loneliness. Meanwhile, 89% of respondents indicated additional staff would help to improve interactions and 69% said an improved skill mix amongst nursing staff would also assist.

“Not only are some of our residential aged care facilities failing to provide adequate dementia care, many are contributing to the prevalence and symptoms because appropriate nurse staffing is inadequate,” said Mr Holmes.

The NSWNMA is calling for urgent minimum staff to resident ratios to be introduced in the aged care sector and is part of a national campaign seeking support for ratios ahead of the federal election on 18 May www.ratiosforagedcare.com.au.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. One RN to 50 residents? How many assistant nurses, Physios, activities officers etc are not included in the study?
    Stop exaggerating this nonsense and do some real studies!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Should Aged Care Facilities be Forced to Publish Their Sanctions ?

For most Australians, the task of selecting a residential aged care facility for a loved one is made when a family member realises that things are edging closely towards crisis. The thought of discussing the mortality or deterioration of a family member is obviously uncomfortable, but this lack of communication often leads to an overly... Read More

Residents Missing Out on 88 minutes of Daily Care, says Nurses Union

Stories and media coverage of poor quality aged care has become far too frequent, raising the question on what can be done to improve the state of aged care in Australia. Both the community and the industry talk of more training, more staff and more funding, but one of the most basic things that existing... Read More

Government must prioritise older Australians oral health

Mouldy toothbrushes, untreated abscesses and dirt-flecked dentures:  not exactly the embodiment of the way a humane society should look after its vulnerable members. They are, however, symptoms of a growing problem in Australia – how do we preserve the oral health of our older people? Oral health may not head the top of priorities for... Read More
Advertisement