Has The Quality Of Care And Professionalism In Aged Care Homes Declined?


There are families who have had loved ones at aged care homes raise concerns about the standard of care and staffing levels in the facility. Some aged care homes have advised that Covid had “created significant workforce challenges” in the aged care sector. Families of loved ones expect a level of professional care and highly trained professionals. Instead they found that in recent years, even before Covid, care standards have fallen and staffing levels have declined. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Has the quality of care and professionalism in aged care homes declined?

Posted by on 19 Apr 2022

tweet this
  • [0] [0]
    fotgetit

    My parents were both housed in an aged care nursing home for many years, and the standard of care given seems to depend on two main factors. Firstly it depends on how badly understaffed the facility is, and the subsequent pressure being placed on the more loyal workers who turn up for work regularly. Secondly...there is a big difference between a dedicated worker and a worker who is only there to earn money. If there is a dedicated worker who loves their job and respects the needs of elderly citizens, you will always see a superior standard of service. It is my contention that nursing homes and aged care facilities should never have been privatized. Because once you have changed the key motive from service delivery to profit, you will always see a serious decline in the standard of care offered by that facility. And that opinion is based on seven continuous years of factual evidence and direct contact with a prominent nursing home and aged care centre.

    Posted by fotgetit on 22 Jul 2022
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    matalla

    Aged care system has not improved since 1980's. I have experienced firsthand (1980’s)how the aged care system treated the elderly when I was a taxi driver in the Melbourne metropolitan area. I discovered: 1. the recurrence of instances of poor quality of care across the aged care system, including for dementia and other cognitive disability 2. additional support did not exist for people with special needs, including those with dementia, those at the end of their life, those with mental illness, people with disability and those experiencing homelessness 3. serious shortages of appropriately skilled and qualified nursing and personal care workers For my personal experiences, I feel that the aged care system has gone backward in 2022. I have no answers .

    Posted by matalla on 26 May 2022
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    Mustang6000

    Most definitely, and it has been happening for years. My 96 yr old father is in a facility that I consider OK. It cost a fortune to buy the unit and he still pays close to $1000 a month for services/meals etc. The staff are all ery good & caring but the ratio of staff to residents is ridiculously low. Nothing aagianst those working in Aged Care, but staff turn over is very high, I know that a lot of the struggle to survive on their incomes. Even with an Aged Care package, his savings are being eroded. Also, way the purchase documents and costs levied on exit were structed mean that, in effect, there is no value left in the unit on his death and it is not transferable to anyone else. For profit homes are a big money earner where the residents seem to take 2nd place to profits.

    Posted by Mustang6000 on 21 Apr 2022
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [2] [0]
    tassiegirl

    My grandmother in her early nineties went into an aged care home after having a few falls and being unable to stay in her house by herself . Less than 6 weeks later, she died. Also she had to pay $200,000 to go into the home. Her doctor recommended this as one of the better aged care homes in the area.

    Posted by tassiegirl on 20 Apr 2022
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [1] [0]
    mact

    Absolutely.....since funding arrangements were realigned in the late 1980s including removing, restricting and reducing Division 1 and 2 Trained Nurses and replacing them with cheaper, less well trained PCAs. Coupled with an increase in private for profit Nursing Homes often owned and invested in by canny Doctors. Chuck in a useless Federal and State Standards enforcement regime and our rapidly ageing demographic and you have a recipe for poor care and aged and often demented and unrepresented clients existing in modern Gulags! !!

    Posted by mact on 20 Apr 2022
    Reply | Alert Moderator

  • [0] [0]
    Mustang6000

    Entirely agree with everything you said.

    Posted by Mustang6000 on 21 Apr 2022
    Reply | Alert Moderator

Join LiveTribe
Thousands of Aussies and Kiwis have already discovered the benefits of their FREE LiveTribe membership. Join and start earning online today! Sign Up
Get Rewarded!

Comment on brands, products and services and be rewarded for your opinions! Join in and discover LiveTribe’s extensive range of rewards.

View More
Join Our Monthly Competition!

Enter for a chance to win a $100 prize.

345 x 145

Members Testimonials
Lyn
"This is a great site. Love doing their surveys." Lyn B., QLD
Mary
"Just found out I won $150 in the competition – Thank you LiveTribe." Mary H., SA
Barbara
"Boy! Am I happy, to win a $150 Hoyts voucher, I love my movies." Barbara F., VIC
Elizabeth
"Awesome survey giving so much information on mining, thank you." Elizabeth A., WA
Frank
"My rewards from LiveTribe just keep rolling in. Keep it going, LiveTribe" Frank B., VIC