Australia’s aged care system is shameful

Australia’s shameful neglect of elderly nursing home residents will be a compelling issue in the federal election because the state of the sector damns us as a society.

Australia’s shameful neglect of elderly nursing home residents will be a compelling issue in the federal election because the state of the sector damns us as a society.

The number of voters aged over 65 has surged from one in eight to one in five in the last 20 years so any party that wants to win the election has to court this sector.

It’s not just the elderly that care about aged care, its also their families.

Two in three voters have told pollsters government funding for aged care needs to increase, that rises to three in four voters in marginal electorates.

Australians want aged care fixed, they expect billions more to be spent giving those who helped build this nation a dignified retirement.

It’s not just the elderly that care about aged care it’s also their families.

A royal commission exposed the shocking treatment of our frail elderly who are being starved, raped and bashed in institutions that remain open even though they fail standards.

Bedbound residents have been found with maggots in their wounds and they are often tethered to their beds or chairs or doped on anti-psychotic drugs.

Residents who are unhappy with their care are unable or too scared to complain, whistleblower staff are threatened with the loss of their jobs.

And government standards agencies meant to police he sector actually cut back inspections as Covid outbreaks tore through homes turning an already bad situation into a hell on earth.

Food being served in aged care facilities across Australia. Picture: Supplied

Governments don’t need any more inquiries to tell them what is wrong they need to increase both wages and job security in aged care where you get paid less than if you worked at Bunnings.

Aged care providers must be held to much greater account over what they do with the billions in taxpayers funding they receive.

An independent authority must be tasked with establishing the true cost of providing quality care and then the funding must match this.

A quality assessment body with teeth and enough staff to carry out regular inspections and impose sanctions that bite must be established.

Originally published as Australia’s aged care system is shameful