A Victorian Department of Health official has described how she broke down in tears in the midst of a horrifying Covid outbreak that proved fatal for Melbourne aged care facility St Basil’s. The virus claimed the lives of 45 residents at the Fawkner ...
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Forget ageing well, it’s what we do that counts
We don’t get up in the morning to age well, we get up to do something. Something we like doing, that lets us give back, shapes the day, broadens our circle, lifts our spirits and keeps us healthy. Sounds like ...
More »St. Basil’s inquest: Chief nurse grilled, surge workers quit over ‘utter exhaustion’
The surge nursing workforce brought into St. Basil’s struggled to identify residents and quit due to fear of losing their professional registration, the Victorian coroner’s court has heard. Nurse Angela Cox volunteered to lead the agency staff sent to St. ...
More »Demand for grief counselling surged during the pandemic and bereavement services expect the impacts are not yet over
When Angie Wraight’s husband of 38 years died in her arms during the pandemic last year, she felt lost. A “wonderful” palliative care team had helped keep her husband Brian comfortable through his cancer battle, but when the rush of nurses and ...
More »St Basil’s inquest: infection breaches, rushed handover after workers furloughed
Infection breaches and poor communication prevailed after St Basil’s aged care staff were furloughed following a positive Covid case during Melbourne’s second wave. The facility suffered the worst outbreak that swept through Victoria’s nursing homes last year, with 50 residents dying in July ...
More »Government announces new National Aged Care Advisory Council
The government has finally announced the makeup of the new National Aged Care Advisory Council, with 17 "prominent Australians" tasked with providing expert advice and guidance on aged care. The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, announced the ...
More »Iron deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s
A new study has found evidence that an Iron deficiency in the brain could be an important factor in developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from the University of Adelaide were studying the mutations in a small number of genes associated with ...
More »St Basil’s inquest: Death was ‘manslaughter’, victim’s daughter tells court
A Melbourne woman believes her mother’s death from the coronavirus outbreak at St. Basil’s aged care facility was a form of “manslaughter”, a court has been told. Maxine Tsihlakis told a coronial inquest into the deaths of 50 residents at the facility that ...
More »Digital care tech is helping to ensure aged care residents get enough nutrients and hydration
Certain considerations must always be contemplated and envisaged before implementing changes to an environment where an elderly person resides, to ensure they are as comfortable, safe and happy as possible. One area of growing concern is hydration and nutrition, which ...
More »Vaccine booster program officially rolls out across Australia from Monday
Australia’s booster shot program officially commences across the country today, with fully vaccinated adults aged over 18 who had their second shot six months ago rolling up their sleeves once again. Aged care and disability facilities residents and staff will be among the first ...
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