news
More paperwork , more stress
Managers on new aged care standards .
The challenges of new regulations
on top of the COVID-19 pandemic has left aged care managers struggling with added stress and paperwork .
Managers and operators of more than 250 aged care service providers participated in a new report put together by aged care governance specialists CompliSpace .
It found the vast majority of aged care managers ( 93 per cent ) found that their workload had increased under the new Aged Care Quality Standards , which came into effect last year .
A similar number ( 92 per cent ) reported that they were dealing with more paperwork that was reducing the amount of direct care time with residents , while more than three quarters ( 78 per cent ) said they were experiencing increased stress levels .
CompliSpace chief executive David Griffiths said there has been no comprehensive review into the impact of the new Aged Care Quality Standards on aged care homes since they commenced on 1 July 2019 .
“ Our aged care sector is under intense scrutiny amidst the Aged Care Royal Commission , 20 reviews over the last 20 years , and the handling of COVID-19 ,” Griffiths said .
“ It is also under intense stress as aged care staff endure more work in trying to meet the regulatory requirements , without further support or funding from the government .
“ What our study found was the administrative burden of the new regulations may be adding strain to the sector , putting staff retention at risk and pointing to reduced capacity to care for residents .
“ The eight new Aged Care Quality Standards replaced four previous benchmarks . While they were necessary , we believe the unintended impacts have not been fully assessed .”
COVID-19 was adding to the strain , with 82 per cent of aged care homes needing to change their policies and procedures because of the virus , 85 per cent changing their systems and processes for managing staff training , and more than half ( 59 per cent ) chancing their systems and processes for collecting and reporting on data . ■
Listen to the music
79-year-old Tharma ( right ) listening to Tamil music using Moove and Groove . Photo : Supplied .
Silent disco delivering benefits for people living with dementia .
Silent disco provider Moove and Groove has released early
findings of research conducted with the Australian Catholic
University that shows promising links between its listening program and the wellbeing of aged care residents living with dementia .
The preliminary results were announced during a presentation made to the IDC 2020 International Dementia Conference and coincided with Dementia Action Week .
The research is being carried out across 63 Uniting Aged Care homes by ACU researcher and psychology lecturer Dr Kirsten
Challinor whose team is investigating how Moove & Groove ’ s silent disco program is being received by residents .
Early data from staff surveys revealed it has contributed to significant reductions in vocal disruption ( 80 per cent ), agitation ( 73 per cent ), and pacing and apathy ( both 70 per cent ).
Approximately 65 per cent of staff surveyed said they believed the silent disco program could lead to a reduced need for psychotropic medications .
The Moove & Groove program allows aged care residents to become immersed in specially tailored music , podcasts and videos . It is delivered via wireless headphones and accessed via an app , and can be used individually or in group settings .
Some of the activities accessed by residents include dancing , corridor singalongs , socially distanced bingo , virtual exercise classes and streamed religious services .
“ It has facilitated staff and residents to connect with each other in a way that ’ s both unique and moving ,” Uniting Aged Care dementia behaviour specialist and practice lead Georgene McNeil said .
The silent disco technology has also contributed to increased job satisfaction , with 80 per cent of staff surveyed saying it has provided them with an enhanced means of connecting with residents .
“ The early results of the Australian Catholic University study reinforce the benefits we see every day in aged care homes ,” said Moove & Groove founder and CEO , Alison Harrington .
Moove & Groove has been rolled out in over 100 residential aged care organisations across Australia since launching less than a year ago . ■
6 agedcareinsite . com . au