specialty focus
Finding joy
There ’ s still joy and connection in aged care amid the horrific stories : opinion
By Lincoln Hopper
Amid horrific aged care stories , there is joy , care and connection Residential aged care suffered two fresh blows in recent months .
First , there was the terrible story of 95-year-old Clare Nowland , who was allegedly tasered by a police officer in her aged care home in Cooma . Ms Nowland died in hospital . Along with Ms Nowland ’ s story emerged an earlier and similar one ; that of Rachel Grahame , a dementia patient handcuffed by police at her aged care home in 2020 .
The incident caused such distress that Ms Grahame spent six weeks in hospital recovering from the trauma . Two absolutely dreadful stories . Two stories that , for many Australians , particularly older people and their adult children considering their parents ’ future care needs , cemented their already negative perceptions about our sector .
Yet , these two stories , as shocking and terrible as they are , bear little resemblance to the aged care we experience in St Vincent ’ s-run homes and homes operated by our not-for-profit peers .
Hardly a day goes by that we don ’ t get to hear about a genuinely moving or inspiring story .
The extraordinary care our people have provided a resident or a heartfelt expression of thanks from the adult child of a resident parent .
At the same time , I wish every day that more Australians could see the type
of support , love , attention and respect characterising residential aged care as I know it .
But how can aged care providers turn around such negative narratives that appeared over the past fortnight ?
Is it enough to just do our jobs and hope it ’ ll make a difference ?
Will there ever be a time my aged care colleagues aren ’ t afraid or embarrassed to tell others they work in aged care ?
About six months ago , St Vincent ’ s Care decided to do something about answering those questions .
One of the issues we frequently hear are concerns of family members about putting their older parents into residential aged care because they ’ re genuinely fearful after hearing so many negative stories .
At the same time , we hear from potential residents – again , misinformed by the same negative stories – that they ’ re afraid to lose their independence .
In June , we launched a campaign to address those issues head-on .
‘ Celebrating You ’ is an online , shortepisode TV series that profiles our residents , their loved ones , and our carers as they really are .
It ’ s a series that tells the truth about residential aged care and how it ’ s overwhelmingly built on the beautiful relationships between residents , employees , families , and volunteers .
About how the independence and individuality of residents are not just maintained but encouraged .
What stands out most from the series is how residents and aged care workers bond and support each other . They ’ re authentic . Honest . Positive . Don ’ t get me wrong , behind our campaign ’ s smiling faces and genuine care and affection , I realise our sector is still in crisis .
At last count , two-thirds of aged care providers are financially underwater .
We ’ re all struggling to find enough workers to fill shifts .
Worst of all , many of aged care ’ s most valued workers – therapists , dieticians , pastoral carers , activity coordinators , cooks , cleaners and maintenance workers – have not been included in the recently announced 15 per cent national pay increase decision . They ’ ve been ignored . And the tragic double-whammy ? Their crucial contributions – providing social interaction and stimulus ; giving professional care related to diet , physical therapy , and dental hygiene – are also not recognised by the new mandatory staffing model that comes into force later this year .
Come October , the vast majority of aged care providers will be placed in the unfair position of either trying to fund these workers ourselves , at a further loss or cutting them back , if not altogether .
Nevertheless , we won ’ t let these challenges define us , our sector , or the people we serve .
We choose to tell a story about what makes aged care special , about what makes us proud .
A story about healthy ageing - that sees people as getting old-er ( not ‘ old ’) and that values everyone who contributes to our sector .
A story where aged care is not a full stop , but another chapter . ■
Lincoln Hopper is chief of St Vincent ’ s Care Services which runs and operates over 30 aged care and retirement living facilities in Queensland , NSW and Victoria .
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