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AGED CARE
One of the key measures of a civilized society is how they treat their elderly. This is why I believe the issue of Aged Care needs to remain front and centre in Australian politics. I am concerned that Aged Care in Australia is under-funded and under-prioritized.
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Many find their experiences with aged care to be confusing, stressful, emotional and at times painful.
There is the highly emotional tearing of ties, where an elderly relative is forced due to poor health, and often against their will, to leave their home of many years. Due to a shortage of places, many of these relatives have to take whatever placement can be found, often a long distance from their home, and there is the confusion and disorientation that results from relocation to a new place later in life.
Added to this is the stress that is felt by families as they seek to find not only any place, but the best place, for their loved ones. No-one wants to have to explain to their children why their grandpa or grandma is so miserable in their later years of life.
And having as children shared their home with their elderly grandparents, many adult children now feel guilt as they place their parents into care. Times have changed, more people work and people are living longer, meaning that staying home to care for your parents is not a viable option—something an elderly parent may often not understand.
Then there is the heartbreaking separation of life-long partners being forced to live apart because there are not enough high-care places available with nearby low- to medium-level care. When a partner most wants to be near their loved one—as their health declines—they are forced to be apart.
As people who ourselves are not yet in care, we cannot help but wonder what sort of care will be available to us in not too many years time.
That is why I am committed to ensuring that older Australians receive the support they need and deserve. I will do whatever it takes to end the 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude that has seemed to dominate the aged care issue over the last few decades.
We face large challenges with the shortage of high-level care, lack of new or refurbished places, adequate staffing arrangements and the ever growing demand as Australians live longer.
Adding to this is the growing pressure to get nurses and carers into the profession. With low pay, demanding conditions and limited long-term career prospects, it is hard to attract and keep quality people.
State and federal governments can’t keep ignoring the aged and elderly, so I will be working hard to make this issue a priority for those who hold the purse-strings.
If you have any experiences to share about the aged care sector, please drop me a line.
Supporting documentation
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