The Australian and the 7.30 Report put the spotlight on chemical restraints

Ahead of the first Royal Commission into Aged Care hearing last Friday, the newspaper’s Social Affairs reporter Rick Morton highlighted a submission to the Commission by University of Tasmania dementia researcher Juanita Westbury which states more than 60% of aged care residents from a 11,500 national sample were taking one or more psychotropics every day. Dr Westbury says many residents were often on doses of antipsychotics for years, increasing the risk of stroke, heart problems and pneumonia, and the rate of “as-needed” antipsychotic prescriptions in aged care homes is now at its highest level. The ABC was not to be outdone, broadcasting a story on physical and chemical restraints in aged care as part of its ongoing investigation into the sector that showed video and photos of residents with dementia strapped to their chairs in a Sydney facility. The negative media prompted a swift response from the Minister for Aged Care. The day after its airing, Ken Wyatt issued a statement, promising chemical and physical restraint in aged care homes will be “better regulated”. A taste of what operators can expect from the media – and the Government – as the Commission gets underway.