Mental health, disability, homelessness, First Nation people, kids at risk, infectious diseases; all thse sectors have turned their backs on institutional care. The harm was too high, the safety too low. So why has aged care remained steadfast in its ...
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Quality over quantity: Move from meeting targets to providing holistic care
As the Government’s Aged Care Taskforce prepares to hand down its recommendations later this month, it is a timely moment to reflect on the current state of our sector and our purpose as providers – to provide rich and rewarding ...
More »Older life is in the transitions – Opinion
Bruce Fieler in his New York Times bestseller, Life is in the Transitions, tells us that by the time we turn 65, we will have experienced 30 to 40 life disruptors. Mostly, we’ll take these in our stride. But three ...
More »If you’re 65 or over and want to work, you’re far better off in New Zealand than Australia
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Want to keep working after you’ve reached pension age? The Australian government has just made it a little bit easier, increasing the amount you can earn per year from work ...
More »I was a geriatrician on Old People’s Home for Teenagers. Here’s why I joined this TV experiment
Many people will have heard about “intergenerational practice” via the TV. This is the purposeful bringing together of different generations, aiming to benefit all involved. It’s the idea central to ABC TV’s Old People’s Home for Teenagers and its predecessor, ...
More »Aged care needs an upgrade – and technology is the answer
It’s no secret that there’s a labour shortage in aged care. Current projections estimate the industry is still short thousands of registered nurses and personal care workers. By 2050, Australia will need an estimated 400,000 additional aged care and home ...
More »Taking more than 5 pills a day? ‘Deprescribing’ can prevent harm – especially for older people
People are living longer and with more chronic health conditions – including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and dementia – than ever before. As societies continue to grow older, one pressing concern is the use of multiple medications, a phenomenon known ...
More »The role of smart devices in prioritising safety and communication in aged care
Aged care providers face a complex landscape characterised by an ageing population, a growing focus on keeping older people at home for longer, and increased legislation and compliance requirements. Between managing the constant flow of residents, juggling staffing requirements, and ...
More »Isn’t aged care quality meant to delight us? – Opinion
How would you rate the quality of an aged care service if you were the client? It would have to meet your needs so that your life improves. Which doesn't sound too hard – most of us do this every ...
More »A call for dignity: Australia’s ageing crisis – opinion
Australia just topped the U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries ranking for a comfortable retirement because of our healthcare programs, pensions, and cost of living. Yet, the stark reality is that simultaneous population ageing and decline will change this ...
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