Aged care work beats the downturn
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 Jan 2009: 2.
Show highlighting
Abstract
“The reality is the aged care sector marches to its own drum — there’s escalating demand for all forms of aged care and a shortfall in skilled labour,” Mr [John Ballard] said.
Greg Mundy, head of the peak body Aged and Community Services Australia, said aged care was an area where government investment would bring an immediate benefit in the creation of jobs. Its submission to the May budget, proposing an additional $1.4billion for a range of initiatives, would translate to a 5 per cent increase in overall employment — 15,000 jobs on top of the 300,000 already in existence. “Aged care is chronically underfunded and staffing is very tight,” Mr Mundy said.
Full Text
ONE sector appears immune from the growing shortage of jobs and looks set to expand through the global economic contraction — aged care.
With unprecedented growth in the aged population, the aged care sector is predicted to double within 20 years, with an additional 4000 aged care beds a year forecast for the next decade.
Mercy Health in Melbourne announced last week it would need at least 250 extra staff by year’s end for two new aged care facilities.
Chief executive John Ballard said aged care providers were faced with increasing demand against a backdrop of funding and labour shortages.
“The reality is the aged care sector marches to its own drum — there’s escalating demand for all forms of aged care and a shortfall in skilled labour,” Mr Ballard said.
“The sector confronts a dramatic challenge — there aren’t enough people to do the work.
“We’re trying to keep up with growing demand for care in the face of unprecedented growth in the aged population.”
Greg Mundy, head of the peak body Aged and Community Services Australia, said aged care was an area where government investment would bring an immediate benefit in the creation of jobs. Its submission to the May budget, proposing an additional $1.4billion for a range of initiatives, would translate to a 5 per cent increase in overall employment — 15,000 jobs on top of the 300,000 already in existence. “Aged care is chronically underfunded and staffing is very tight,” Mr Mundy said.
“Because there’s an excess of demand over supply, investing in aged care would not drive up prices. This is a very socially and economically responsible area in which to invest.”
A spokeswoman for Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the Rudd Government would provide a record $41.6billion in funding to thesector over the next four years. On average every aged care resident would be funded to $43,000.
Keeping older people at home is also a growth industry, with $1.78billion channelled into the Home and Community Care Program aimed at assisting 800,000 people this year.
The spokeswoman said the Government was providing $39million over five years in cash bonuses for nurses returning to work, and funding an additional 5000 training places to help personal care workers in aged care homes improve their qualifications. “This Government recognises we have an ageing population; no Australian government has invested more in aged and community care.”
Jessie Forrest, 82, who suffered a stroke at a Mercy Health aged care facility at Werribee, west of Melbourne, said she could not cope without her carers, but sometimes thought there should be more staff. “I couldn’t manage without the carers … Sometimes there could be more night staff, but they do a good job, the ones that are here.”
Credit: John Stapleton