Tampilkan postingan dengan label residential. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label residential. Tampilkan semua postingan

Senin, 31 Mei 2010

A Rethink Is Needed on the Elderly

Those involved in the aged care industry call for more money from government. Despite money being ploughed in and the rate of pension being increased it still isn't enough. But we need to take a close look at what is going on in the world. European countries are cutting back on pensions and health care, saying that governments cannot afford it. Perhaps residential aged care will always be unsustainable. Indexing of current payments will only keep up with inflation, and it appears the Government will not even do that.

In ages passed the family cared for the elderly. Aged parents spent their day sat in the armchair by an open fire. They got bread and cheese if they were lucky and they certainly didn't enjoy an income. Too infirm to work their daily tasks involved caring for the toddlers in the family. They were seen as assets not liabilities.

Society has changed. Many adult children today do not even visit their parents. Child care is sourced privately. But these same children do not take kindly to parents mortgaging the family home and living better in old age. This is unfortunate. Perhaps the Government is too paternal. It seems in Europe that reality has put a check on welfare. Maybe a return to old ways will be forced on us.
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Jumat, 26 Februari 2010

Australia Is Facing a Crisis in Aged Residential Care

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.
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