Aged Care is very topical and ought to be discussed more. It affects so many of us whether working in it, witnessing the ageing population or having parents that are very much older. I work in the industry as an RN in a residential setting. Or should I state I work for profitting 'business!'

The money and budgetting is the worst part of the aged care world. There are short cuts all over.

The meals are less than fantastic. In the past I have been an agency RN moving around different facilities; I see little variation in what is served up. Recently I saw pale cabbage, mashed potato, cauli and pale coloured Silver side plated. Did that look appealing...not. Cheap to buy and serve plus plus. Never would you see a chop!

Anyway, it is staffing that will always be the biggest issue in residential care of our Aged. Where I work, 79% of the budget is wages. Interesting, and in many high care wings it takes up to lunchtime to get the fully dependent residents out of bed. Some might like it, but many would sooner be up earlier and out of their wet incontinence products. The more 'vocal' residents dictate who'll be up first.

I am frustrated. You see, I had coffee with a few caregivers I knew at my former facility (worked there 6 1/2 years). The caregivers are giving out the medication, have no registered staff after 4.30pm and if they ring an oncall RN for help, that help isn't timely in response. It is frightening. There are life and death decisions to occasionally make. Should caregivers be put in this situation. I say an emphatic no. I wonder how much of this is going on?

But there, it is all about money. This same facility will not use agency staff but instead I have heard of TRIPLE shifting occurring! How dangerous can that be. Sigh. read on .....

....Myself, I love the older people in 'my charge', and supporting those workers on the floor. I do my best to be timely in response, but many a time I feel less than adequate to get even the most simple of requests seen to quickly.

I take pleasure, though, knowing that each and every shift I do, I care to the best of my ability. Knowing too I have definitely made some older people's lives a little brighter in some small way that day. They don't have to, but they'll tell me so. How marvellous that is; the best feeling in the world for this genuine carer and server of our elderly.

I am keen to hear from other Aged Care workers. There will be a campaign in October with QNU also. Lastly, do we deserve pay parity. I say yes.

Cakers

bless you for starting this thread.

In years gone by I put a great deal of time into tracking funds and passing it on to the Howard Government over aged care.

Its a topic close to my heart as well as aboriginal people.

After many years of nagging I received a phone call from the then Federal Ministers advisor.

Because it was two days after my own father passed away and I didnt attend suggested meetings.

Here is what we raised and I am happy to be able to suggest this to you because your in the right place and the right person.

We can provide a far better in home service to our elderly and disabiled 'right now' on the 'same funds' .

We can allow more people to stay in their own homes cutting out the need for many homes. (Probably upsetting some developers with their cushy government deals and subs and possibly some church Groups) - (too bad.)
The fact is State Governments are wasting the tax payers funds that are meant for in home care.

The federal Government and states combined give around $72.73 per week for in home services per person.

These are the old figures and I think the Howard Government raised it but (god knows what Rudds done.)

Anyway lets work on $80.00 shall we. The client is required to put in another $50.00 or there abouts to get the service.

If we allocated that money "direct" to a private provider of the clients choice you can get stretch that.

If we give a little more (taking it from the huge expense to tax paying supporting nursing homes )we have plenty to provide four hours a 'day' in home care= Or two part time jobs for two live in or live out carers who will of course pay tax.


Keeping people out of homes that would be the best result as nobody wants to leave their home just because they are elderly.
Its cruel.

Dear Cakers,

Thanks from me as well for starting this thread.

My step-father is in a high-care nursing home.

It's a very expensive,
privately-run one here in Melbourne.

However the care he receives leaves a lot to be
desired. They use agency staff. Pop is heavily
dependent and he can ring the call button till he's
blue in the face - no one comes. He is partially
paralysed - so needs help to go to the toilet.
When in sheer frustration, he's tried to go by himself,
he's had several bad falls and has ended up in emergency,
in the local hospital. Mum visits him every day,
and often finds full piss-bottles still by his bed
when she arrives in the afternoon. Many times he's
also been not fully dressed or washed et cetera.

And there's more, but I won't go into all the
details here. We've written letters of complaint,
sent faxes to the Director of Nursing, but
nothing changes.

I can't help but wonder, how do they assess a place
for accreditation - and are there standards these
places have to adhere to? Standards of care, that is?

And who can you report them to if they're found
lacking?

I am speaking as a Registered Nurse who has specialist aged care qualifications and experience in the aged care residential setting sector. I am also one of those nurses who has left the profession of caring for our elderly due to burnout.

I have nothing but praise, admiration and respect for the care-workers in aged care- I truly believe that their hearts are in the right place and they are the true heroes of aged care.

Unfortunately the reality of aged care is that it does not matter how much money you throw at it there is always the need for more money. I believe the answer lies with having well educated and experienced leaders in the management positions. Innovation and a bit of entrepreneurship at that level of management is needed to move the industry forward. A proactive approach rather than a reactive ethos is essential.

(Con't)

(Con't)

Foxy- you have raised a really great question. Residents and the loved ones of the residents are often relucant to complain. There is often a percieved power differenctial in the relationship between resident and facility. People will often not complain because they are afraid that there will repurcussions and the care of the resident will be affected. Well if that happens you will certainly know your loved one is not in an ethical and professional facility. If you wish to make a complaint you can contact the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme- details on their website below.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-complaints-index.htm#HowDept

You can also engage the assistance of the Aged Care Advocacy Services for help as well. Put your concerns in writing to the Director of Nursing and make it known you will not hesitate to contact the Dept of Health & Ageing if your concern is not attended to.

Accreditation of aged care facilities has been a great initiative of the government. Accreditation essentially puts all aged care facilities on a level playing field. There are standards that MUST be met in order for the facility to continue providing the service. The accreditation system may have some inherent flaws however it does keep the industry on its toes.

Cakers- yes aged care nurses should be paid what they are worth and wage parity is essential. Aged care is a specialty area within nursing and should be recognized as such