The Aged Care Crisis in Australia’s COVID-19 Success Story: A Commentary

Buhler, Cymbeline; Wali, Nidhi; Ball, Charles B.; Gurung, Supriya; Schismenos, Spyros

doi:10.55671/0160-4341.1150

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…As in other parts of the world, older people in Victoria were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, due in part to increased risk for COVID-related severe disease, hospitalization, and death with advancing age (AIHW, 2021; Holt et al, 2020; Johnson 2022). Failures in policy and management also meant that older Australians in aged care were not adequately protected, with the virus spreading to several Victorian aged care facilities (Buhler et al, 2021). As argued by Buhler et al (2021), the aged care sector in Australia was already in a state of crisis and facing significant problems with respect to older people’s safety and wellbeing when COVID-19 began circulating in the community.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Failures in policy and management also meant that older Australians in aged care were not adequately protected, with the virus spreading to several Victorian aged care facilities (Buhler et al, 2021). As argued by Buhler et al (2021), the aged care sector in Australia was already in a state of crisis and facing significant problems with respect to older people’s safety and wellbeing when COVID-19 began circulating in the community. Older people in Australia, including those living in the community, were among the most isolated during the pandemic, with research finding that older people struggled to stay connected with others due to lesser use of video calling and other forms of virtual contact (Carroll et al, 2020).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Australian Frontline Service Response to Elder Abuse During COVID-19: Learnings, Successes, and Preparedness for Disaster

Brijnath,

Feldman,

Dow

et al. 2023

J Appl Gerontol

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This study examines how service providers in Victoria, Australia, undertook early intervention and response to elder abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021. This study comprised two phases: (a) interviews with 29 staff members from 23 frontline service organizations about their experience responding to the needs of vulnerable older people during COVID-19; followed by (b) a co-design workshop with 15 service providers to discuss and endorse recommendations to improve sector preparedness for early intervention and responses to elder abuse during disasters. Participants reported that the severity and frequency of elder abuse increased during the pandemic, and that remoteness of services undermined comprehensive risk assessments, especially for older people who were not proficient in English and/or current digital platforms. Service providers endorsed a range of recommendations to improve sector preparedness for responses to elder abuse during disasters, primarily to upskill providers and improve the service system and direct support for individuals.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian Frontline Service Response to Elder Abuse During COVID-19: Learnings, Successes, and Preparedness for Disaster

Brijnath,

Feldman,

Dow

et al. 2023

J Appl Gerontol

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“…A national survey conducted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation found that 80% of survey participants reported no increase in care staff to prepare for a potential COVID-19 outbreak (Alderslade, 2020a). Without sufficient government support, the impact of inadequate staffing, poor infection-control measures, and PPE shortages combined to produce an extreme vulnerability to COVID-19 within the aged care sector (Buhler et al, 2021).…”

Section: "Back To Basics": Short-circuiting Care During Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking Restriction in Residential Aged Care: Dis/Abling Movement and Relations in the Time of COVID-19

Zhang

Zivkovic

2023

Space and Culture

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Restricting movement is a major focus in policy directives to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in aged care homes. In this article, we rethink dominant framing of restriction through a critical examination of the politics of good care and ethnographic attention to spatial extensions and interdependencies between residents, care workers, and assistive technologies. Drawing on ethnographic observations in two South Australian care facilities, analysis of aged care policies and national inquiries into aged care, and relevant media reporting, we examine how restriction to movement, misconceptualized as a good form of care, has suppressed residents’ physical and social needs and ruptured abling assemblages of resident mobility. We propose that walking alongside aged and frail residents offers new ways for thinking about care and re-abling relational approaches to care in times of crisis.

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Job satisfaction and regulation in the aged care sector: staff perspectives

Cameron,

Noble,

Bryant

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background The quality of care provided in residential aged care facilities is largely dependent on the job satisfaction of employees and the organisational framework and systems that they provide care in. This study aimed to explore aged care staff perceptions of job satisfaction, regulation of the sector and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Methods A cross-sectional survey conducted in 2019-early 2020 with staff employed in various roles at residential aged care services in Australia. The study specific survey collected views and experiences about working in the aged care sector as well as information about their role. Results A total of 167 aged care staff completed the survey of which 71% worked in a direct care role. Most participants indicated they thought they were doing a worthwhile and important job (98%), were proud to work in the sector (94%) and found the job personally rewarding (94%). However, participants also reported feeling emotionally drained by the work (37%) and fatigued by having to face a day of work (30%). 72% of participants felt the Royal Commission would lead to improvements in the care provided to residents. Conclusion Aged care staff have an overall positive feeling towards their work. Additional support including increasing skills to deliver high-quality care, creating a supportive work environment to reduce job stressors and changes to the way the sector is regulated, are likely to lead to improved care.

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The Aged Care Crisis in Australia’s COVID-19 Success Story: A Commentary

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Australian Frontline Service Response to Elder Abuse During COVID-19: Learnings, Successes, and Preparedness for Disaster

Australian Frontline Service Response to Elder Abuse During COVID-19: Learnings, Successes, and Preparedness for Disaster

Rethinking Restriction in Residential Aged Care: Dis/Abling Movement and Relations in the Time of COVID-19

Job satisfaction and regulation in the aged care sector: staff perspectives

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