It’s easy to get excited about the potential for robots to help care for the sick, injured and elderly, but we need the right regulations in place to deal with issues as they emerge.
Andrew Giles on the growing issue of loneliness
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Ahead of the release of the most comprehensive data on loneliness in Australia, by the Australian Psychologists Society, Labor frontbencher Andrew Giles speaks about this "contagious phenomenon".
The Conversation asked readers how they would want a loved one to be cared for in a residential aged care facility. What they said was similar to what surveys around the world have consistently found.
Peter Whiteford, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the Coalition’s spending on aged care as preparations for a Royal Commission into the sector get underway. We asked the experts to crunch the numbers.
Some family members of aged care residents have resorted to hidden cameras to detect abuse and protect loved ones. But it’s legally murky and erodes the privacy of the resident, staff and visitors.
Large institutions for people with disability and mental illness were once commonplace. These have now been replaced with smaller community-based services. With aged care, we’re doing the opposite.
Four Corners this week revealed understaffing and poor staff training in aged care. These issues have also been found in previous reviews into aged care.
Older people living in residential aged care often have few friends, no meaningful interactions and feel socially isolated. Most people are depressed and some may no longer wish to live.
Because of their sedative effect, antipsychotic medications are often used – in fact they are over-used – to “manage” people with dementia. This is against clinical guidelines.
Australia’s aged care sector is in trouble. Our experts have previously explored the complex aspects of the system, exposing where the problems are, and have been for some time.
Intergenerational care gives children and older people the chance to interact, resulting in significant benefits for participants and the wider community.
People with dementia can become agitated or distressed when the temperature isn’t right, but some aged-care facilities aren’t designed or operated to keep them comfortable.
The NDIS has started to reduce the admissions of young people with disabilities to aged care facilities, but more than 6,000 are still waiting for more suitable accommodation.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne