Aged care under the microscope
After examining the experiences of residents and relatives within the aged care system, independent public health researcher Dr Sarah Russell is expanding her study by focusing on staff currently working in an Australian aged care home. Her new survey targets all staff ranging from nurses and managers to carers and cleaners, calling on them to […]
Dramatic drop in hand hygiene compliance
Healthcare worker compliance with national hand hygiene guidelines falls from more than 90 to 30% when they are not being observed, latest research shows. The national mandatory hand hygiene program was introduced in Australian hospitals eight years ago and requires a 70% compliance rate The University of NSW (UNSW) study monitored human and automated methods […]
Better post-op care for nursing home residents
A new type of intervention for nursing home residents following hospital discharge has resulted in almost two-thirds fewer readmissions. The intervention is a result of a collaborative study between researchers at UNSW Medicines Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), the Department of Aged Care, St George Hospital and Calvary Health Care. Lead author, senior lecturer […]
Integrated model of care for responding to elder abuse
Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within a relationship where there is an implication of trust, which results in harm or distress to an older person. It can include acts of physical, financial, psychological, social and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Elder abuse is often from […]
Aged care workers undervalued and underpaid
Aged care providers can prevent their workforce from taking industrial action by installing pay levels that respect and value the work being carried out and addressing chronic understaffing within the sector so elderly nursing home residents receive proper care, ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler has argued. Speaking at an Aged Care Workforce Forum in Melbourne […]
Candidates urged to support aged care ratios
Members from ANMF branches in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia have been seeking pledges of support for aged care ratios from political candidates contesting five by-elections due to be held later this month on 28 July. By-elections will take place in the Queensland electorate of Longman, Mayo in South Australia, Braddon in Tasmania, […]
National campaign pushes for staff ratios in aged care
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) launched a national campaign seeking mandated staff ratios for aged care on 12 May, International Nurses’ Day. Around the country, ANMF members and aged care reform advocates stood united at community rallies aiming to put pressure on federal politicians to address chronic understaffing by supporting legislated ratios and […]
Come to the Table: Maggie Beer urges aged care
It’s fresh, seasonal food that gives energy and pleasure to those in aged care, argues renowned celebrity cook Maggie Beer Yet findings of a new study show a decrease in spending on raw food and an increase in spending on supplements in some residential aged care facilities (RACFs). The study published in Nutrition and Dietetics […]
The therapeutic lie: a reflectice account illustrating the potential benefits when nursing an elderly confused patient
Situation: The circumstances involved an extremely anxious, frustrated and distressed man named John, with a severe cognitive impairment. John was an inpatient on a dementia ward in a mental health hospital in the southwest of England, who wanted to use the telephone to contact his long-deceased mother. One of the author’s works as a staff […]
Spotlight on the harsh reality of suicide in Australian nursing homes
Almost 150 Australian nursing home residents took their own lives while in care between 2000 and 2013, a confronting new study has revealed. Nursing home residents who took their own lives most commonly died from hanging (31.9%), falls from height (17%) and plastic bag asphyxia (14.2%). The majority of these residents were male (68.8%) and […]