Attacks in nursing homes increased as aged care profits dropped
In the past 6 years, nursing home profits are at its lowest, according to a recent analysis, which will add pressure to the government to increase funds in aged care.
A horrifying 50 percent in nursing home assaults followed the report which is alarming for Health Minister Nicola Roxon.
Rod Young, chief executive of Aged Care Association Australia, said that the figures are a lot worse than what is really happening because most of the cases reported as complaints are really routine matters which are raised by nursing home management and some incidents which involve patients with dementia.
The droop in profits was blamed by the lack of investments needed to provide for future growth to meet the demands of the ageing population. Young said.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to give an address today which will focus on getting the most out of the workforce, given the present ageing population dilemma.
Mr. Rudd will say that the efforts to reduce chronic diseases could result in as much as 175,000 people in the workforce by the year 2030.
It is also expected that Mr. Rudd will say that if the state will embrace the national health and hospital reforms, a $15 billion funds for economic infrastructure, including $4.9 billion for New South Wales and $3.8 billion for Victoria, shall be added over the decade.
Ms Roxon has hinted that health reforms would include more choices in the type of available aged care.
A new study collected by the federal government which is focused on aged-care figures showed that profits per nursing home bed dropped from $3773 a year in 2004 to $603 a year in 2008.
This study was based on the latest figures from the Department of Health and Ageing.