A snapshot of Australians living in residential aged care
Over half of the 187,300 Australians living in residential aged care during 2015 had at least five to eight long-term health conditions and nearly half had dementia, according to new data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The statistics are among a range of findings to emerge from the ABS’ 2015 Survey of […]
Pain management for people with dementia
The purpose of this article is to shed some light on the importance of pain management, to examine major barriers and make some recommendations to improve the pain management in older generations with dementia. Pain management in older adults with dementia is paramount. The impact of pain on physical, psychological, social and spiritual components is […]
Four Corners investigation uncovers a sector in crisis
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) says last night’s opening of a two-part investigation by the ABC’s Four Corners program into the treatment of the elderly in aged care homes shone the spotlight on a sector in crisis and a section of the Australian community that has been abandoned. “For years, our members have […]
Staffing is key to ending suffering in nursing homes
A Royal Commission into aged care that will investigate negligence, inadequate care and abuse will do little to fix the crisis plaguing the sector unless the government takes action to introduce mandated staffing ratios across the country’s nursing homes, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has argued. “Every day that the government fails to […]
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, […]