Mandatory aged-care standards are slipping at some facilities, with peak bodies worried the needs of elderly people are not being met. or signup to continue reading New federal government data shows just 40 per cent of aged-care providers met mandatory targets for total minutes of care for residents and for care given by registered nurses in the three months ending in June. The figures showed 23 per cent of for-profit providers met both targets, compared with 44 per cent of not-for-profits.
On average, the sector as a whole exceeded targets for total care minutes delivered to residents per day at almost 208 minutes, compared with the target for the quarter of nearly 205 minutes. Advocacy group for older Australians, COTA, said the figures are alarming, calling for more to be done to ensure aged residents received more support. Chief executive Patricia Sparrow said facilities had an urgent responsibility to improve standards.
"The fact that too many older people are still not getting the mandated minutes of care is a real concern," she said. "Australians have a right to expect that if they or a loved one goes into aged care they'll be given the attention and quality care they need to deserve. "Basic direct care isn't a 'nice to have', it's crucial and the absolute minimum we should expect for older Australians in care.
" Targets for the sector for the number of mandatory care minutes and time with a registered nurse were a key recommendation from the royal commission into aged .
