Australia is heading for a crisis in residential care for the aged. Young people do not understand what their future will be like if investment in homes for the elderly is not increased. With society going the way it is family will not be around to help feed, clothe and look after you when you get old. The nursing homes whether public or private won't be there.
The problem is money. The cost of aged care is getting more expensive by the year. Qualified, experienced staff expect high wages. In 2050 people over 65 years will double in number. Those living more than 85 years will quadruple. The strain will not only be felt in the aged care sector proper. Provision of health services for these people will be difficult.
In the future, care for the elderly will be basic at best. The ratio of "patients" to staff will rise from five per nurse in 2003 to more than twelve per nurse on average. Some nursing homes now have one nurse for over 30 residents. But those over 90 need continual care because of constant illness and memory problems. Today nurses are companions as well as carers. This will end.
Because nurses in nursing homes are paid less than their counterparts in mainstream health, nurses are leaving residential care. Only more money from government will stop this.
The problem is money. The cost of aged care is getting more expensive by the year. Qualified, experienced staff expect high wages. In 2050 people over 65 years will double in number. Those living more than 85 years will quadruple. The strain will not only be felt in the aged care sector proper. Provision of health services for these people will be difficult.
In the future, care for the elderly will be basic at best. The ratio of "patients" to staff will rise from five per nurse in 2003 to more than twelve per nurse on average. Some nursing homes now have one nurse for over 30 residents. But those over 90 need continual care because of constant illness and memory problems. Today nurses are companions as well as carers. This will end.
Because nurses in nursing homes are paid less than their counterparts in mainstream health, nurses are leaving residential care. Only more money from government will stop this.
