New Zealand aged care suggests new approach to delivering care

An investigation including 450 written and oral submissions, 20 meetings with more than 1200 people attending and numerous discussions with aged care experts has given some food for thought to the aged care sector in New Zealand.

The result of these meetings and submissions, a report constituting 14 recommendations, has highlighted suggestions that are thought to improve current conditions within aged care.

The report suggests a creation of a rating star-system based on clinical indicators such as medication mistake, pressure ulcers among residents and the use of anti-psychotic drugs.

Alarming stories about neglection and abuse in aged care facilities have lead to the need of taking action to improve the system.

Green’s spokeswoman, Sue Kedgley, highlights some of the issues.

“Residents suffering from  chronic dehydration or malnutrition, being left in bed for entire weekends, or not being walked or toileted regularly, resulting in incontinence and loss of mobility”.

According to Martin Taylor, Chief Executive for the Aged Care Association, points out that a star-rating system has been initiated once before, leading to misrepresentation of the reality of aged care, and that poor aged care quality, in fact, is rare.

Facts from the sector:

  •        42, 000 people live in 700 aged care facilities
  •        New Zealand government spends about $1.3 billion a year, including rehabilitation
  •       75,000 people receive home support

Suggestions for improvement:

  •      New Zealand government to establish Aged Care Commissioner
  •      Mandatory minimum staffing ratios
  •      Pay parity with public hospital staff
  •      Caregivers to receive state-funded training