HSU wants more taxpayer funding for aged care residents’ “social and emotional” needs
“Medical care is one thing, but mental health is not just about giving people pills,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald
With Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers stating the rising cost of aged care is one of the biggest pressures on the taxpayer purse, the Health Services Union (HSU) believes more taxpayer money should be put towards the “social and emotional” needs of residents. HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes (pictured) said aged care workers must be funded to provide “holistic care” that addressed emotional as well as clinical needs.
“Medical care is one thing, but mental health is not just about giving people pills,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “An aged care facility isn’t a clinical area like a hospital, it’s a person’s home. It’s important in our view that the care minutes should include allied health, psychological and social care.”
Residential aged care homes provide a variety of social activities, some more than others.
The average amount of Commonwealth funding per resident increased from about $192 to $225 on 1 October in the new AN-ACC funding model to allow providers to prepare for new staffing ratios to begin in 12 months’ time. Providers must deliver an average of 200 care minutes a day per resident – an extra 20 minutes each – from October 2023, with the funding tied to time spent with a personal care worker or nurse. There is no mention of a social worker or psychologist, or pastoral care, activities or outings. Gerard said the psychological wellbeing of aged care residents relied on the level of engagement they enjoyed at the home.
“You imagine waking up every day... if you’ve got depression, you’re feeling anxious or incredibly lonely, to be able to have that holistic care is important,” he said.
