Labor leader Anthony Albanese vows to fix nursing home food crisis

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will pledge to fix the scandal of food in nursing homes that has left some seniors “literally starving” if he wins the election.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will pledge to fix the scandal of food in nursing homes that has left some seniors “literally starving”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will pledge to fix the scandal of food in nursing homes that has left some seniors “literally starving” if he wins the election and boost aged workers’ pay in the budget-in-reply speech tonight.

As the Prime Minister prepares to go to the polls next week, the ALP is rolling out its big guns: a pledge to increase aged care workers’ salaries and give seniors in nursing home care a better dinner.

It follows warnings that seniors are malnourished and forced to eat food that makes carers “want to vomit”.

“Tonight, I’m announcing Labor’s plan to put security, dignity, quality and humanity back into aged care,’’ Mr Albanese says.

“We’ve all been chilled by stories of unforgivable neglect. Maggots in wounds. People going days without fresh air, a shower, or a change of clothes.

“Stories of residents lying on the floor, crying out in pain, and nobody is there to helpthem. It goes against everything we are as Australians.

“And while our loved ones suffer, their carers, mostly women, are underpaid and overworked.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will pledge to fix the scandal of food in nursing homes that has left some seniors “literally starving”

Four years ago, reports emerged that pensioners are fed on just $6 a day, a revelation the AMA president called a “national disgrace”.

The “wholly inadequate’’ sum of money was less than Australian prisoners get for their meals.

“My children’s guinea pigs get fresh ingredients and more money spent on them,’’ AMA President, Michael Gannon said.

“It’s a national disgrace the way we treat our aged.”

Would you eat this?
Take a look at the food served inside Australian #agedcare facilities before tonight's landmark investigation on #4Cornerspic.twitter.com/NuUupDE4In

— Four Corners (@4corners) September 17, 2018

Mr Albanese said Labor’s 5-point plan would deliver Australians the aged care they deserve:

The plan includes:

- A registered, qualified nurse on site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

- Increasing the standard of aged care across the board – by ensuring there are more carers, who have more time to care.

- Backing a real pay rise for aged care workers at the Fair Work Commission.

- Pledge better food for residents.

Four years ago, reports emerged that pensioners are fed on just $6 a day. Picture: 4 Corners

Mr Albanese said the food being offered in some nursing homes wasn’t good enough.

“A really hard part of growing old and losing some of your independence is not being able to cook for yourself, let alone visitors or family,’’ Mr Albanese says.

“For most of us, meals are something we look forward to. A daily ritual that brings us together, gives us moments of joy.

“This makes it all the more outrageous when the food served up to some Australian in aged care is a scandal itself.

“The interim Royal Commission report found that over half of aged care residents

were not getting enough nutrition. They are literally starving. We’re going to change that.

“A Labor government will work with the sector to develop and implement mandatory

nutrition standards for aged care homes to ensure every resident gets good food. Tasty and nutritious meals which respect cultural, religious and dietary requirements.”