NATIONAL UPDATE
WORKING IN A WAR ZONE WHAT THE PANDEMIC FRONTLINE IS LIKE, AND WHY AGED CARE WORKERS ARE OUR UNSUNG HEROES
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here are residential aged care managers moving their caravans on-site so they can be available for their staff 24/7, with many not having a day off since before Christmas, while huge numbers of staff are working tired—doing double and triple shifts, to care for our most vulnerable older people. Senior staff are showering and feeding residents, chefs are serving meals and washing dishes, maintenance workers and administrative staff are doing laundry, helping with personal care and connecting residents with their families on iPads and through Zoom meetings. They say it’s like working in a war zone. Some say it’s like a nightmare. LASA Residential Aged Care Specialist Cheryl Edwards says while the industry has been preparing for this moment—with thorough planning, stocking up on PPE, and additional staff training in Infection Prevention and Control—this hasn’t made it any easier. And it’s probably worse than expected. “Providers understood that when restrictions were removed, COVID-19 would spread in the community. They knew it was inevitable that staff would be affected, so additional training was given where necessary, such as food hygiene, so staff would be prepared to take on those additional duties within the scope of their role, but that they might not ordinarily perform,” she said. “However, with the incredible proportion of staff members sidelined due to being unwell or being a close contact of someone with COVID-19 over the summer period, even this step was not enough to avoid a significant workforce crisis. “Surge workforce provided by the government has been insufficient, and providers in regional, rural and remote areas have been impacted the most. “In some cases, there is only one Registered Nurse to cover 140 residents over a shift. Staff members are working without weekends or even sufficient rest. This is simply not sustainable.”
Cheryl with one of her chickens, Astra, whose sister is Zeneca and father is Corona. Her chickens have helped maintain her sanity during the pandemic. Cheryl takes aim at those who label residential aged care providers neglectful, because the stories she is hearing on a daily basis, since the pandemic began, speak to the complete opposite. “Staff are tired but fuelled by passion for their job, and dedication and love towards the residents they care for, but when the pandemic eases, I expect we are going to see a mass exodus.” She says a surge workforce is a must. Beyond the Australian Defence Force, Cheryl suggests healthcare workers in training be directed towards carer roles, in an ongoing way. “We have nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists at university, who would gain practical experience, while helping to plug the workforce gap—it’s a win-win.” Continued on page 18
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