Government accused of ignoring actions to fix aged care
The federal government has failed to provide a detailed response to recommended strategic actions outlined in a report delivered by its own Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce review, the Aged Care Royal Commission heard on the opening day of this week’s Melbourne hearing. Professor John Pollaers, Chair of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce, developed […]
How nurse practitioners are filling the gaps in aged care
An elderly woman living in residential aged care who had just returned from hospital after having her fractured hip repaired lay screaming in agony. Carers did their best to assist but without an RN on site, appropriate pain relief was unable to be provided. “There was no registered nurse to provide any pain relief. She […]
NPs urged to lead push to improve aged care
Nurse practitioners should actively engage with the current Aged Care Royal Commission, champion nursing and use their expertise to lead change across the embattled sector. Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) Vice President Amanda Davies delivered the call to action during a keynote address to delegates at this year’s ACNP National Conference in Melbourne that […]
‘Beaten, broken and exhausted’: former aged care manager speaks out
Beaten, broken and exhausted are the words Gay Taylor used to describe how she felt after 12 months working as an aged care facility manager. The pressure to provide quality care to aged care residents without adequate staffing was relentless, Ms Taylor revealed to about 600 delegates in a passionate and emotive presentation at the […]
Inside Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds
“Could the secret to improving the lives of the very old possibly lie with the very young?” poses narrator Annabel Crabb in the opening scenes. TV viewers are set to find out with new ABC documentary series Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, a unique and heartwarming social experiment where a group of Sydney […]
Webinar to focus on Aged Care Royal Commission
The Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) is hosting an upcoming webinar on the current Aged Care Royal Commission that will provide insights into its operation and inform AAG members about how to make submissions and their importance. To be held on 28 August, the forum features a panel of leading experts, including ANMF Federal Secretary […]
Why I gave evidence to the Royal Commission
Registered nurse Emma Murphy had just clocked off after a stressful shift at one of the handful of Brisbane aged care homes she works across each week. A resident had fallen and required a hospital transfer, followed quickly by another incident that left little time for her to properly complete all tasks. It was a […]
Earle Haven raised “serious red flags”, Commission told
A distraught 92-year old woman and a disoriented elderly man were among residents caught up in the middle of chaotic scenes during a recent emergency evacuation of a Gold Coast nursing home, the Brisbane Hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission heard this week. The sudden closure of the Earle Haven Retirement Village in Nerang […]
Aged Care Employee Day – celebrating our workforce
Australians are being encouraged to recognise the positive contribution of those who work in aged care on today’s Aged Care Employee Day. “I absolutely love it. I am passionate about the older generation – they have given so much in their lives to society and this country,” says Tasmanian Enrolled Nurse Nicki Hood. Nicki, who […]
Qld to mandate ratios in public aged care homes
The Queensland Government has pledged to legislate nurse-to-resident ratios across its 16 state-owned public aged care homes to ensure elderly residents receive the full care they need and deserve. Premier Annastacia Palasczuk made the announcement this morning at the annual conference of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) in front of hundreds of delegates. […]