With the passing of legislation in Parliament comes new dawn for the Australian Aged Care industry and Aged Care Quality and Safety. The nation’s first independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has been established and this means change. As a collective industry, down to individual centres and individual service personnel, many of us have grieved at the stories of neglect and substandard care. What the new commission brings, in addition to increased funding, enforcement officers and tighter policy, is what our vulnerable seniors need and will always need, excellence in care, excellence in protection and a championing of their …

There are many components that go into securing and maintaining excellence in aged care. From making sure that organisational systems are working smoothly and schedules run on time, through to ensuring that all the boxes have been ticked regarding policy changes, a lot is going on. Yet at the heart of all the bustle, it is arguably those on the front line, the carers and nurses working in the daily routine that bring and see a much needed quality, humanity. Scientific studies that have taken a look at the lives, input and wisdom of carers, have only fortified the notion …

Understanding sepsis in adults and the wide ranging effects it has later in life is a significant step to overcoming the challenging condition and pursuing preventative measures. Scientific studies have been uncovering long term challenges to the physical and mental functioning of the body after a struggle with sepsis. Unfortunately as we age, the likelihood of sepsis occurring increases. Not only is there a need to work towards preventing sepsis but particularly preventing the considerable consequences it has long term on the body. While the findings display worrying elements when it comes to the effects of sepsis, it is in …

Many carers, nurses and employees in the aged care sector have spoken of having to navigate tricky areas when it comes to residents with challenging symptoms. While many residents may be acting out due to circumstances out of their control, carers regularly have to deal with challenging situations with emotional and physical factors at play. It is important to acknowledge the difficulties faced by carers so as to provide a space of transparency, affirmation and importantly solution based resources. It’s Difficult For All Carers Rowan Harwood, Consultant Geriatrician and Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Health Care of older persons at …

The stigma of old age has long held a restraining force over the world’s seniors. Going even further than a dismissive hand, much of Western society and thought has set the tone that when it comes to the new, when it comes to the progressive and successful, it is the domain of the young and hungry. When the magazines run a spread on the up and coming entrepreneurs to watch, a slew of young dapper men will commonly grace the pages. Yet in spite of the tone laid down by a large portion of the business world, there is a …

Diabetes is a serious issue among the world’s population. Working adults are consistently the subjects of medical studies conducted to determine cause, severity and wider ramifications. Yet strong evidence from recent investigations highlight that older persons are facing increasing likelihoods of developing diabetes and its side effects. The U.S. based organisation, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a National Diabetes Fact Sheet which stated that in the U.S. more than 25% of those aged 65 and over have Diabetes. They also stated that the aging of populations was also a drive in the case count of diabetes. It …

As people age, the likelihood of the body struggling with vital functions increases. From mobility difficulties due to energy and decreasing muscle density to difficulty swallowing, medical teams within aged care facilities have been tasked with finding sustainable, accessible and strategic ways to meet residents’ needs. One of the prevalent difficulties faced by many residents in aged care is dysphagia. Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. The triggers for dysphagia have been found to be stroke, neck cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s disease related as well as developing with the advancement of age. Thickened fluids have been used as …

Ngaire Hobbins is an experienced dietitian that has been working in the aged care sector for some years. When it comes to the importance of food for the healthy functioning of the body and brain, she has championed the importance of nutrition for seniors. In order to deeply progress as a sector, all who work in aged care have the opportunity to enter into discussion and learning so as to ensure the best quality care for the elderly in our society. Far from being in the rat race and having the resources and strength to have their voice heard, it …

The calls upon nurses across the health care sector are immense. Within the aged care space they are usually responsible for hundreds of patients at any given time and are the first responders day or night. Not only are our nursing professionals expected to consistently provide excellent care but to navigate the many tricky gray areas when it comes to whole spectrum of care. The burden of responsibility, workload and breadth of care must be acknowledged when it comes to championing and supporting our nurses. It may be in entering into the dialogue of the gray areas of care, that …

When it comes to end of life care it is vital that all areas of care are coordinated to ensure the highest quality and standards. One of the leading resources in this area is the collaborative endeavour by many of the aged care sectors leading organisations. The Principles of Palliative and End-Of-Life Care in Residential Aged Care is a rich guiding resource when it comes to palliative care. A combined effort between Palliative Care Australia, Alzheimer’s Australia, COTA Australia, Aged & Community Services Australia, Leading Age Services Australia, Catholic Health Australia and the Aged Care Guild have provided a united …