Prostitutes are paid more

Not much has changed in the history of the aged care sector, according to lecturer in nursing at La Trobe University, Dr Jean Booth.

Describing how, in early colonial days, aged care was delivered by convict women sent to work in the asylums as punishment, Dr Booth explains how public outrage at the treatment of older people escalated until 1877.

“An inquiry in 1877 recommended Nightingale trained nurses should care for the aged in these facilities.  It was then that legislation recognised the needs of the elderly and that this care could best be provided by Nightingale trained nurses.

“Unfortunately, in these early days of our colony there were those in the community who believed untrained staff was sufficient to care for the elderly,” Dr Booth says. “Is it any different today?” she asks.

Despite the move to Nightingale trained nurses, Dr Booth claims since 1997, government policies have largely been responsible for the reduction in the number of registered nurses caring for the aged.

“The belief continues that middle-aged women with ‘tender loving care’ are all that is necessary to deliver this care,” she adds.

Suggesting she understands why the sector cannot attract registered nurses into aged care, Dr Booth claims poor wages and “minimally” trained staff could be factors contributing to the lack of workers.

“The needs of the elderly in our facilities are becoming more and more complex. Even this is not enough for governments to identify the need for more registered nurses in aged care,” she says.

Believing the government’s inquiry into the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report released in August, will be money wasted, Ms Booth says there is little need for another review to determine that it is becoming increasingly impossible for registered nurses to work in aged care, and is compromising the care of residents.

“Recently an elderly resident was left strapped to a toilet and died.  Was it because of staff neglect, or is the government to blame? Almost certainly a person lost their job over this. But would it have occurred if more trained staff were employed?” she asks.

According to Ms Booth, it is no longer a requirement to have registered nurses employed in aged care. However, she says care of the aged is going “backwards” and alleges prostitutes are paid “much better” than workers in the aged care sector.

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