Concerned residents blast aged care sell off
Fearful families have blasted an inner city council’s decision to sell off its aged care centres to a private provider — just a week before a Royal Commission into abuse allegations opened.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents fear their elderly parents’ rights and safety are in jeopardy after Glen Eira Council announced a sell-off of its three aged care centres.
The municipality, which runs Rosstown in Carnegie, Spurway in Murrumbeena, and Warrawee in Bentleigh East, voted to sell them during a confidential meeting last week.
RELATED:
WIDOW RECALLS HUSBAND’S HORROR DEATH AFTER MISTREATMENT
ROYAL COMMISSION: MOST PROVIDERS FAIL TO REPORT ABUSE
It comes as a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety got underway on Monday following reports of misconduct and unreported abuse, restrained residents and overdosing of patients in private centres.
Mayor Jamie Hyams assured residents their rights would be protected, staff would be able to transfer to the new provider, and a reputable operator would be chosen.
He said the municipality was the only Victorian council to still operate residential aged care and managing it had “become more complex and challenging”.
But dozens of concerned residents have blasted the decision at recent community information sessions, with one even saying she hoped her mother passed away before the changes occurred because she was so fearful about what it meant for people’s safety and wellbeing.
Katie Becker’s 87-year-old wheelchair-bound mum Jeanne lives at Rosstown with dementia, and said suitable options were almost impossible to find in Glen Eira.
She said some were too expensive and others were just “depressing”, but Rosstown had offered supportive staff, healthcare specialists, good food, and constant activities.
“I just have strong doubts, despite council assurances that (mum) is going to receive the same level of care that has so far been provided once the facility becomes private,” Ms Becker said.
“I can’t see private providers employing all of these people who are an integral part of
the facility.
“Residents in these communities have paid for the privilege of using these facilities through years and years of paying their rates so why are they being disregarded now?”
Martine Simpson, whose dad Frank, 80, lives at Warrawee, said she was devastated her high needs father’s care would be put into the hands of a private provider in light of the Royal Commission.
She said other high-quality aged care providers in the area cost upwards of $800,000 per bond, compared to Warrawee’s $430,000 bond.
“This has gotta come down to the council selling an asset for profit... but they just can’t guarantee what the future will hold for the (staff and residents),” Ms Simpson said.
MORE NEWS
COUNCIL BLOCKS KIDS FROM STREET BASKETBALL
‘White Australia’ fundraiser raises $27k in just eight days
A crowd-funding page created by a controversial neo-Nazi figure has raised more than $27,000 to help “create a home for white people in Australia”.
Pictures: Victorian preppies start their first day of school
About 70,000 Victorian grade prep students have started their first year of school this week. Check back to see all the photos from primary schools across the state.