The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of quality clinical care for elderly residents, says Loureene Kelly, a South Coast aged care worker.
“Before COVID, people tended not to appreciate the clinical side of aged care,” says Loureene, who has worked as an aged care assistant in nursing for several years and is studying for a nursing degree.
“More people are starting to understand that aged care is a lot more than just helping someone get dressed and making them cups of tea.
“Providing a good home and lifestyle activities are important, but so are the clinical and medical aspects of the job.
“COVID has made families more aware of the isolation that can happen in aged care. I’m definitely noticing more people trying to visit their parents, which means they can get a better idea of the work we do to care for them.”
Loureene was surprised by the absence of nurses at night and on weekends when she started at her current facility. She came to realise this is the reality for many aged care homes.
“Since COVID my facility has taken on more RNs and an EN, so there is more nursing coverage, which takes the pressure off AiNs.
“If there are not enough nurses, then AiNs have to take on responsibilities they are not adequately trained for, including aspects of medication, wound care and palliative care.
“They are big responsibilities with serious outcomes for our residents if they are not performed correctly.
“AiNs are the backbone of aged care and the first responders to their residents, but they are constantly put at risk due to lack of staffing support and increased responsibilities beyond their training, which is not reflected in their wages.
“Caring for the elderly – including end-of-life care – can be quite complex. AiNs need to be sufficiently supported on the floor by nursing staff and by upper management, and given opportunities for further training and education.”
Loureene says the pandemic has also highlighted the need for staffing ratios in aged care.
“Every facility I’ve worked in has had staffing issues but since the virus, we’ve really struggled to keep adequate staff on the floor.”
The pandemic has forced the closure of Loureene’s twice-weekly university classes, and she has had to switch to remote learning.
“There is little opportunity to speak directly to a lecturer, even online,” she says.
“As a result of remote learning, lecturers are under a lot of pressure to deliver a brand-new curriculum with greater time restraints.
“It’s harder for students to pick up practical skills, and exams have been replaced by assignments, which are more time consuming.”
