Fairfax and ANMF puts a negative slant on Japara’s new night-time policy for checking on residents

Fairfax’s Michael Bachelard has penned a piece focusing on the listed provider’s decision not to look in at residents at its 44 aged care homes overnight. Its new policy ‘Respecting Night Time for Residents – Etiquette Guidelines’ states “Checking the resident is still breathing or has not fallen out of bed is not a valid reason to check the resident.” The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association (ANMF)’s Assistant Secretary Paul Gilbert asserted the policy is “obviously just a mechanism to cope with a reduction in staff” that would expose nurses to accusations of negligence. But a Japara spokesperson told Bachelard the guidelines are about creating a “calm and relaxing night-time environment” and “we do not intrude into residents’ rooms or wake them unless they want us to or there is a clinical need.” Japara uses technology, including motion sensors integrated into the call bell system, to alert staff if a resident has fallen from their bed. It underscores the challenge that providers face – balancing residents’ potential medical issues with the need for respect.