‘13 questions on aged care‘ has been created to hold politicians to account for the issues in aged care and help make everyday Australians aware of what areas of reform are needed to improve the aged care system for older Australians.
We’re always keep hearing about the problems with aged care, but what exactly are they? How do we solve them? How do we get our politicians to take note and do something about them? Many people thought the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety would improve the aged care system, but that hasn’t happened. In fact, with COVID, some could argue the situation has gotten worse.
So more than one year on from the Aged Care Royal Commission’s final report, and in the lead up to the Federal election, Aged Care Reform Now (ACRN) is asking everyday Australians where they stand on aged care and to help make their local politicians accountable.
Aged Care Reform Now has launched its ‘13 questions – where do you stand on aged care’ campaign, asking all Australians to take a minute to make sure aged care reform is a major election issue.
ACRN Committee member Amina Schipp, whose mother tragically died from neglect in an aged care facility, said aged care touches every Australian’s life in some way, either through helping a loved one who needs care, or just by growing old and needing help in the future.
“We created this survey because no one should have the excuse that they don’t know about the issues in aged care,” Mrs Schipp said.
“We need to keep the pressure on politicians on all sides, to clearly understand that Australians demand aged care reform that results in a quality, safe and efficient aged care system now and for generations to come.
“There has been significant focus recently on the fallout from the Aged Care Royal Commission and the devastating impacts COVID has had on the elderly. But there are also major reforms underway and Australians have the chance to influence these changes.
“We also want our elected officials to be transparent on their views about aged care, so that voters can make a clear choice on election day,” she said.
The 13 questions in aged care survey – providing a quick snapshot of the issues in aged care – have your say
The 13 questions campaign is a simple online survey to get the views of as many Australians as possible and is available on https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/13questionsagedcare
Holding politicians to account with the 13 questions on aged care
While it’s important for Australians to have their say, it’s even more important to hold our politicians to account and ask them where they stand on aged care reform. That’s why there’s an easy to use email tool on the ACRN website that helps you email the politicians who are trying to get elected in the upcoming Federal Election in your electorate and ask them to complete the survey. The email tool is on www.agedcarereformnow.com.au/13questions and ACRN will also publish those elected member and candidate responses on its website so voters can see at a glance where their local candidates stand on important aged care issues.
The 13 questions cover both home care and residential care, and have been voted by ACRN membership as the most important issues facing aged care – quality of care, a well-trained and remunerated workforce, transparency and accountability. While some of these questions might seem obvious, they have been selected because there are still clear issues when it comes to resolving them and they are still impacting older people – many of whom are our ageing parents, aunties, uncles, or friends.
13 questions – where do you stand on aged care?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/13questionsagedcare
Do you support:
Quality care
1. Home care that prioritises each individual’s need for support?
2. A minimum amount of care per day to be provided in residential care, based on individual care needs?
3. Sufficiently funded and accessible Allied Health Services for older people who receive aged care services, both in the home and in residential care.
4. Capping of administration fees for home care providers so more funds are available for direct support? (they are currently between 8% and 35%).
5. The provision of a variety of fresh, nutritious, appetising and appropriate meals in line with the meal choices of aged care residents?
6. Keeping the existing Aged Care Assessment process, the existing Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT/ACAS) in public hands?
Workforce
7. Registration of all aged care workers in both residential and in home care settings?
8. A national minimum standard of training for all care staff in both residential and home care. This would specify training modules in personal care, dementia, palliative care, wound care, cultural, diversity, infection control, communication, and ongoing refresher training.
9. At least one Registered Nurse (RN) on duty at all times in an aged care facility?
Transparency and Accountability
10. Financial transparency of how taxpayer funds are being used in both residential and home care?
11. Public reporting of complaints including how they are managed and resolved, and public disclosure on whether the provider is meeting or failing quality standards?
12. New Aged Care legislation that prioritises the human rights of older people and mandates quality?
13. The mandatory reporting of serious incidents within a timely manner in both residential and home care?
Some useful links:
Aged Care Reform Now 13 questions home page with the email tool making it easy for you to email Federal politicians – https://agedcarereformnow.com.au/13questions/
13 questions on aged care survey link so you can have your say on aged care reform issues – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/13questionsagedcare
Aged Care Reform Now website – . https://agedcarereformnow.com.au/
Carers’ Circle article on the Aged Care Royal Commission – what is it and what do I need to know – https://carerscircle.com.au/2021/03/14/aged-care-royal-commission-what-is-it-and-what-do-i-need-to-know/
Carer’s Circle article on How do I get started with aged care services? –
https://carerscircle.com.au/2022/01/12/how-do-i-get-started-with-aged-care-services/
Carer’s Circle article on The upcoming federal budget is the time to stop talking about aged care and start fixing it –
https://carerscircle.com.au/2021/05/03/the-budget-is-the-time-to-stop-talking-and-start-fixing-aged-care/
*As we believe in full disclosure and transparency, we wanted to let you know that the Carers’ Circle Founder is a member of the Aged Care Reform Now organising committee and Carers’ Circle is a supporting partner organisation.
Photo credit: 13 questions on aged care reform now
