industry & reform care , especially in the wake of the Royal Commission recommendations .
Aged care affects every single one of us . We all age . We should normalise having conversations in our families about our individual needs and preferences , as well as at a broader level about what system we want to have to meet those needs .
For example , one of the things we know is that openly talking about and valuing care and being involved reduces the chance of abuse happening .
It ’ s also by having open conversations that we can plan as families and avoid crisis , and make genuinely informed decisions .
Lastly , as a society , we need to have a very big conversation about how we fund the changes we want . We want professional , well-trained workers . That will cost money . We have to agree we are willing to spend that money .
What are your hopes for the future of the sector as these reforms play out ? How do you plan to navigate these pressures as a provider ? DB : Let ’ s talk about the workforce – right now , we have a workforce crisis . We already had an established worker shortage prior to COVID . The pandemic has stretched our workforce to breaking point , and at a time when more people need support to age at home .
The Royal Commission showed us that we value care of older people . We also need to value the workforce . We currently pay frontline aged care workers around the same as we do people in fast food roles . Each of these roles requires hard work , but let ’ s not underestimate the intimate personal interaction and observational skills required by an aged care worker . How can we attract and retain a quality and qualified workforce to look after mum , dad and eventually us , especially during the more complex parts of care such as dementia or medication , if the pay does not reflect the responsibilities ?
We need a coordinated response . To clear the home care waiting lists we need to recruit and train a workforce to do the work . The projected demand for workers far outstrips current supply , and the existing aged care workforce earn , in many cases , a dollar more an hour than minimum wage . We have an ageing population and an ageing workforce , particularly in clinical care in aged care . There are two things that need to be addressed – firstly , recruitment of younger workers and retainment of these workers which means that we need to address pay and provide more attractive career pathways .
We need to set a direction where people see care work as a vocation with a career path . Right now , there is no minimum training requirement , and many care staff learn on the job . People see the role as a stop-gap , not as a role with clear career pathways . If we lift the professional standards and the rewards of working in the sector , quality of care will improve .
“ Our elders are
precious . We need to treat them with the respect they deserve .
As an aged care ambassador and an advocate for women ’ s rights , what key issues happening in the sector are you looking to highlight ? TS : For the sector , I would hope that the value of care work is recognised . Paid care work is dominated by women . My hope is that it is seen as a vocation , the same way that nursing has increasingly been valued over the years .
If we don ’ t have a respected , well paid care workforce , this also will disproportionately impact women who are likely to exit the workforce to look after their parents . Two thirds of primary carers are women , and the value of this care to the economy is larger than some big industries , like hospitality , IT and tourism accommodation . We need to make sure we give them support . These life-changing roles are either unpaid or underpaid , and that ’ s not good enough in a society that purports to care for its elders . We need to give carers the support , respect , and payment they deserve .
What have you done since you took up the ambassadorship that you are most proud of and why ? TS : I ’ m proud to have played a role in the team that broadcast a powerful conversation about the future of the aged care sector . One of the webinars I facilitated with Your Side brought together experts in the care of elders who are First Nations , LGBTQI + and from multicultural backgrounds . It was incredibly enlightening to hear about what we can all do to make sure the next generation of elders receives the specific support they need . This was a wonderful opportunity for people in the sector to share ideas about what to do when facing the challenges ahead .
How has your experience as a journalist influenced your advocacy in the aged care space ? TS : Over the past 35 years as a journalist , I ’ ve covered countless stories about the aged care sector . In the past , the elderly were framed as passive recipients of care .
I ’ ve seen significant changes recently , with moves to put the person receiving care at the centre of the system . This change is long overdue .
You said caring for your grandfather and your own father gave you a deeper understanding of what Australians face as they age – how have these experiences impacted yourself and your family ? Did it change your view of aged care in any way ? TS : It really opened my eyes to the challenges faced by every single family across the country . The system is extremely complex . While there is government support available , navigating the system is incredibly difficult . It was a privilege to care for my grandfather during this tough time , but there was an awful lot of impenetrable information to wade through .
Families should be able to spend quality time with their loved ones as they age , rather than wasting countless hours online or on the phone trying to get support . However , this experience has made it a little easier for my sister and I to assist our beloved father in his later years . Truly , there needs to be a complete rethink of the aged care system .
Looking forwards , what are your hopes for the future of aged care ? TS : I hope it becomes a person-centred system that ’ s easy to navigate for every family across the country . Our elders are precious . We need to treat them with the respect they deserve . ■
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