Gastro probe 'damning' of nursing home management
Posted Thu Jul 5, 2007 2:29pm AEST (ABC NEWS)
The Health Services Union has described the results of an investigation into a fatal food poisoning outbreak at a Camberwell nursing home in Melbourne as damning.
Five people died and many residents were ill with gastroenteritis at the Broughton Hall Nursing Home at Easter.
An audit found the home failed to provide staff with training and proper instructions for disease control, leading to a delay in the notification and identification of the outbreak.
The union's Shaun Hudson says he is outraged by the way the home's management handled the situation.
"I think it's lack of access to DHS [Department of Human Services] manuals relating to infection control measures ...that staff were not able to avail themselves of, at a time in need...it is completely unacceptable that a facility could be so mismanaged."
The operator of the Broughton Hall nursing home says it has introduced a number of changes since the audit.
Benetas says it has increased staff training and supervision, improved documentation processes, and introduced better feedback processes for residents and their families.
July 7, 2007
Russia: A Nation of Pensioners
(July 2, 2007)
Farmers over 75 years old are twice as likely as younger farmers to die in an accident while on the job, in large part due to dulling senses and a reluctance to upgrade to newer equipment. Many farmers don’t have retirement plans and therefore feel pressured to continue farming well into old age. Researchers say that it is easier to obtain funding to study child safety on the farm than to study elder safety because it’s a more “emotional issue.” Advocates claim that if shown a safer and less painful way to work, farmers will begin to change their methods.
Source: GAA
Farmers over 75 years old are twice as likely as younger farmers to die in an accident while on the job, in large part due to dulling senses and a reluctance to upgrade to newer equipment. Many farmers don’t have retirement plans and therefore feel pressured to continue farming well into old age. Researchers say that it is easier to obtain funding to study child safety on the farm than to study elder safety because it’s a more “emotional issue.” Advocates claim that if shown a safer and less painful way to work, farmers will begin to change their methods.
Source: GAA
Zimbawee : Plight of the Elderly
Zimbabwe: Old and Hapless (July 2, 2007) Zimbabwe's seven-year economic crisis has made the elderly even more vulnerable. Their plights range from being unable to obtain necessary medicines to suffering from cold at night when the government cuts electricity supplies. Food is insufficient; residents of an elderly home survive on plain tea and two slices of bread in the morning, maize meal porridge and beans for lunch and supper.
(Source: GAA newsletter )
(Source: GAA newsletter )
Global Action on Aging
Top Stories of this Week NGO MIPAA Progress Reports 2002 - 2007 (June 2007) Tell your story to the world on our widely-read website! NGOs are a crucial part of the United Nations' bottom-up strategy to implement the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. On the occasion of the 5 year review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, Global Action on Aging (GAA) invites you to share your organization's activities that have helped implement the Madrid Plan in your home country. Please fill out the questionnaire as soon as possible and return to globalageing@yahoo.com. Let others know throughout the world what you are doing to make life better for older people. The questionnaire is available in Microsoft Word format in English, Spanish, and Russian and will be available in Arabic, Chinese, and French by August 1, 2007.
July 6, 2007
Australian Govt. Response to Protecting the Elderly
Protecting older Australians in aged care from abuse
The safety of older Australians, including those living in aged care facilities or receiving in-home care, was a priority for the Australian Government, the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said on 15 June, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
CP64/07 The safety of older Australians, including those living in aged care facilities or receiving in home care, was a priority for the Australian Government, the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.World Elder Abuse Awareness Day helps raise understanding in both the broader community and in the aged care sector of abuse of older citizens, whether it be verbal, physical or financial abuse or committed by a stranger, friend or family member.“The Government’s primary focus is on ensuring that older Australians are provided with a safe and secure environment by aged care providers and, importantly, that quick and appropriate action is taken when any critical incidents occur,” Mr Pyne said.“Our new package of reforms is aimed at further safeguarding older people receiving care in the community and in residential aged care homes.“The package includes a variety of measures about residential and community aged care, including new complaint investigation procedures, the creation of a new Aged Care Commissioner and police checks for all aged care staff and certain volunteers.“It includes compulsory reporting of sexual and serious physical assault in residential aged care, and legislative protections for approved providers and their staff who report such assaults.“In addition, there will be an increase in the frequency of unannounced inspections of aged care homes by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.“From 1 July 2007, compulsory reporting procedures require aged care workers to report cases of suspected abuse, and offer greater protection to whistleblowers.“Older Australians deserve our respect and I call on all Australians to report immediately suspected abuse incidents.“We cannot be complacent about abuse or neglect of the older members of our community. Prevention of elder abuse is a matter that requires us all – individuals, families, communities, care providers and governments – to work together,” he said.
Victorian State Govt Criticized on EA Prevention
Victorian Government Criticized on Handling of Elder Abuse Prevention.
Author: Mary Wooldridge MLA (14 June2007)
The Bracks Government has played lip service to elder abuse prevention for eight years but failed to address this community crisis.
On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), Shadow Minister for Aged Care Mary Wooldridge said in the two years since the establishment of Labor's Elder Abuse Prevention Project more than 40,000* cases of elder abuse have gone unreported and undetected.
"The reality is that Victoria has no central database to record incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults, and the Government has failed to provide statistics or data stating the exact number of cases of elder abuse in Victoria.
Elder abuse can take the form of physical, emotional or psychological abuse of an older and vulnerable person at the hands of a family member, carer or an institution. The Bracks Government initially promised nearly $6 million for elder abuse prevention but to date has only funded a mere $2.64 million.
For Full-text: Click Here
Author: Mary Wooldridge MLA (14 June2007)
The Bracks Government has played lip service to elder abuse prevention for eight years but failed to address this community crisis.
On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), Shadow Minister for Aged Care Mary Wooldridge said in the two years since the establishment of Labor's Elder Abuse Prevention Project more than 40,000* cases of elder abuse have gone unreported and undetected.
"The reality is that Victoria has no central database to record incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults, and the Government has failed to provide statistics or data stating the exact number of cases of elder abuse in Victoria.
Elder abuse can take the form of physical, emotional or psychological abuse of an older and vulnerable person at the hands of a family member, carer or an institution. The Bracks Government initially promised nearly $6 million for elder abuse prevention but to date has only funded a mere $2.64 million.
For Full-text: Click Here
The Frank Punito Case - Continuing Saga
Sad to hear that the abusers are still doing it to the poor man. Check out the Frank Punito Website update page.
Apparently, no one can intervene because the victim:
Apparently, no one can intervene because the victim:
- is not disabled, and
- he is financially independent.
Perhaps we can all send the abusers a public message. Leave your comments on that site. The author of that site has promised to try forwarding such comments to the abusers.
Sorry folks, if you are in the same category as this victim, there are no assistance for you.
Get involved in publicizing such cases. Elder Abuse in any settings is NOT acceptable.
July 5, 2007
HORROR HOME - Nursing Home in Tasmania
Sunday Tasmanian 24 June 2007
ALLEGATIONS: Karingal Home for the Aged in Devonport.
By GILL VOWLES
ELDERLY residents of a Devonport nursing home are being subjected to physical and psychological abuse, according to their carers. The allegations include an instance where a male nurse grabbed an elderly woman by the cheeks of her bottom and made her ‘‘talk
through her a...’’.
A nurse, who claims he was sacked by the Karingal Home for the Aged after telling another staff member he was going to lodge an official complaint, says what he saw turned his stomach. Mr X’s allegations were verified by several people who would not be identified in any way because of fears of repercussions for them or their family members.
They described Karingal, a non-government care facility, as a horror home ruled by fear and deceit. Karingal’s management has emphatically denied the claims. Carers cite examples of neglect, rough treatment and psychological abuse. The allegations include:
An instance where a frail elderly resident was ‘‘thrown into a chair’’.
Cases of residents being sworn and screamed at and ridiculed for their clothes and appearance.
Residents being sedated so early they would be falling asleep at meal times.
A female resident being slapped on the buttocks.
FROM next month it is compulsory for all nursing home staff to report any suspicion of abuse within 24 hours. But aged-care experts say introducing mandatory reporting is unlikely to reduce the incidence of elder abuse. There are no accurate statistics, but it is estimated there are as many as 400,000 cases of unreported abuse in Australia each year.
In Tasmania alone it is estimated 12,000 elderly people experience abuse — either physical, sexual, financial or psychological — each year.
An elderly person was quoted as saying:
‘‘I’d rather wander off in the bush, die and get eaten by devils than end my days
in a place like that’’
ALLEGATIONS: Karingal Home for the Aged in Devonport.
By GILL VOWLES
ELDERLY residents of a Devonport nursing home are being subjected to physical and psychological abuse, according to their carers. The allegations include an instance where a male nurse grabbed an elderly woman by the cheeks of her bottom and made her ‘‘talk
through her a...’’.
A nurse, who claims he was sacked by the Karingal Home for the Aged after telling another staff member he was going to lodge an official complaint, says what he saw turned his stomach. Mr X’s allegations were verified by several people who would not be identified in any way because of fears of repercussions for them or their family members.
They described Karingal, a non-government care facility, as a horror home ruled by fear and deceit. Karingal’s management has emphatically denied the claims. Carers cite examples of neglect, rough treatment and psychological abuse. The allegations include:
An instance where a frail elderly resident was ‘‘thrown into a chair’’.
Cases of residents being sworn and screamed at and ridiculed for their clothes and appearance.
Residents being sedated so early they would be falling asleep at meal times.
A female resident being slapped on the buttocks.
FROM next month it is compulsory for all nursing home staff to report any suspicion of abuse within 24 hours. But aged-care experts say introducing mandatory reporting is unlikely to reduce the incidence of elder abuse. There are no accurate statistics, but it is estimated there are as many as 400,000 cases of unreported abuse in Australia each year.
In Tasmania alone it is estimated 12,000 elderly people experience abuse — either physical, sexual, financial or psychological — each year.
An elderly person was quoted as saying:
‘‘I’d rather wander off in the bush, die and get eaten by devils than end my days
in a place like that’’
Elder Abuse Prevention Association National Seminar
The next national seminar Ageing, Ageism & Abuse covering psychological aspects of Elder Abuse will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre on Friday 3 August 2007. The seminar will be preceded by two half day workshops on Elder Abuse at the same venue on Thursday 2 August 2007.
Clink on the following links for a Seminar Flyer or for details of our Sponsorship & Exhibitor Packages.
Please register now if you are interested in attending the Seminar or Workshops.
For more information, please contact EAPA
Clink on the following links for a Seminar Flyer or for details of our Sponsorship & Exhibitor Packages.
Please register now if you are interested in attending the Seminar or Workshops.
For more information, please contact EAPA
July 1, 2007
The Reality - Elder Abuse in Australia
(Please email me for permission to use cartoon.)
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