A joint study by UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University and RMIT has found aged care workers overwhelmingly said they had insufficient time to talk to their clients, get to know their uniqueness or to support their decision-making and independence, such as using a walker instead of a wheelchair.
Aspirations to make residents feel at home and for workers to have time and flexibility to get to know their residents and their needs feature on Australia’s quality standards.
However, Macquarie University Department of Sociology professor Gabrielle Meagher said providing this care had become structurally difficult due to the level of funding, staffing and skills.
“The Australian aged care system has to meet increasing levels of demand, and to respond to the increasing complexity of need among older people related to daily living, behavioural issues or complex health care,” she said.
“But our research shows this has not been matched with appropriate funding, staffing levels or a mix of staff skills.”
The research also discovered that less than a quarter of aged care workers were receiving one-on-one support from a supervisor and less than half were able to participate in team meetings to discuss the way they provide care.
RMIT School of Management professor Sara Charlesworth said employment conditions and pay rates in aged care failed to recognise the specific skills and demands of the work, which left care workers and older people vulnerable.
The study recommended the physiological needs of older people be at the forefront of aged care services, and aged care funding be increased to enable services to be provided.
Furthermore, the system must ensure workers have the relevant skills to deliver high-quality care and are supported by managers, so they develop meaningful relationships with older people.