Stabilising the aged care workforce: an analysis of worker retention and intention

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna L. Howe ◽  
Debra S. King ◽  
Julie M. Ellis ◽  
Yvonne D. Wells ◽  
Zhang Wei ◽  
...  

Concerns about the capacity of the aged care industry to attract and retain a workforce with the skills required to deliver high quality care are widespread, but poor conceptualisation of the problem can result in strategies to address turnover being poorly targeted. A census of residential and community aged care services conducted by the National Institute of Labour Studies (NILS) in 2007 provided a comprehensive empirical account of the workforce, and estimated turnover on the basis of retention: that is, the proportion of the workforce who had been in their job for 1 year or less. This paper adds the dimension of intention: that is, workers’ expectations as to whether in 1 year’s time, they would still be working in the same aged care service. The dual driver model that takes both retention and intention into account was applied in further analysis of the 2007 NILS data. Investigation of relationships between workforce instability and 13 variables covering worker attributes, organisational attributes and structural attributes of the industry demonstrated the usefulness of the dual driver model for reconceptualising and analysing stability and, in turn, refining strategies to address turnover. What is known about the topic? Widespread concerns about turnover in the aged care workforce are based on estimates of 25% turnover per annum in both residential and community care workforces reported by NILS in 2007. This rate is low compared to US reports averaging ~50%. What does this paper add? Application of the dual-driver model to the analysis of 13 variables covering worker, organisational and structural attributes clarifies the nature of instability and shows that drivers affecting retention and workers’ intentions to stay or leave the job operate differently in the residential and community care workforces. What are the implications for practitioners? Those involved in workforce management and policy development in aged care should give more attention to identifying and realising workers’ intentions to stay, addressing factors affecting retention, and developing more refined strategies to address instability rather than focusing primarily on recruitment.

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482093897
Author(s):  
Joyce Siette ◽  
Helen Berry ◽  
Mikaela Jorgensen ◽  
Lindsey Brett ◽  
Andrew Georgiou ◽  
...  

Aged care services have the potential to support social participation for the growing number of adults aging at home, but little is known about the types of social activities older adults in community care are engaged in. We used cluster analysis to examine the current profiles of social participation across seven domains in 1,114 older Australians, and chi-square analyses to explore between-group differences in social participation and sociodemographic and community care service use. Two distinct participation profiles were identified: (a) connected, capable, older rural women and (b) isolated, high-needs, urban-dwelling men. The first group had higher levels of engagement across six social participation domains compared with the second group. Social participation among older adults receiving community care services varies by gender, age, individual care needs, and geographical location. More targeted service provision at both the individual and community levels may assist older adults to access social participation opportunities.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezekiel Taiwo Adebayo ◽  
Bola Ayodele Adesina ◽  
Lilian Ejije Ahaji ◽  
Nurudeen Ayoola Hussein

Dental care services are available in many urban communities worldwide where discerning and sophisticated clients expect quality care. Many available studies evaluated satisfaction rather than quality of dental care; others did not reveal the patients’ perception of gaps in the quality of care. Service quality (SERVQUAL) tool assesses quality of service based on the dimensions of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy as described by Parasuraman et al. (1985). The aim of this study was to assess the gaps in quality of dental care in a Nigerian government owned dental clinic using an unweighted SERVQUAL tool to determine the difference between expectations and perceptions of patients. Consenting patients seen during the study period were given a 32-items questionnaire divided equally between expectations and perception of quality of dental care services received. Out of 112 questionnaires analysed, patients had the most expectation for neatness (4.69 ± 0.85) and least for pain free treatment (3.76 ± 1.16). Highest perception was for knowledgeable clinic staff (4.34 ± 0.71) while support to enable staff work well was the least perceived quality (3.73 ± 0.86). Overall, among the 5 dimensions of quality, there were marked statistically significant quality gaps in assurance (p = .0001) and tangibles (p = .0006). This study showed that patients in a Nigerian government-owned dental clinic, there is need for greater attention to be paid to assurance, tangibles and reliability dimensions of service quality to improve patient perceptions.


Author(s):  
Tiffany K Gill ◽  
Steve Wesselingh ◽  
Maria C Inacio

IntroductionMusculoskeletal problems, including conditions such as back pain, neck pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and osteoarthritis are common in the population and significant contributors to global disease burden. Age is one of the most common risk factors for musculoskeletal conditions and over 40% of older people accessing residential aged care have a musculoskeletal condition. It is not known whether individuals living in the community with musculoskeletal conditions have similar needs to those in permanent care and this is important to know in order to provide appropriate care. Objectives and ApproachThe objective of this study was to profile individuals with musculoskeletal conditions in different aged care service settings (i.e. permanent care, community care only, transition/ respite care, or no services). Specifically, we examined the concurrent chronic conditions, health risk factors and functional limitations of individuals by service setting. A cross-sectional evaluation of individuals in the National Historical Cohort of the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) between 2004 and 2014 was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the factors associated with being in different aged care settings. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined. Results401,026 (42.5%) individuals with musculoskeletal conditions were assessed for aged care service eligibility during the study period. Of these 197,181 (49.2%) accessed permanent care, 37,003 (9.2%) accessed home care, 54,826 (13.7%) transition/respite, and 112,016 (27.9%) - no care. Individuals accessing community care compared to residential care were more likely to be female, have pain and have difficulty maintaining their home, as were individuals accessing no services compared to residential care. Conclusion / ImplicationsCompared to those in residential care, individuals with musculoskeletal conditions in the community with or without assistance had few differences related to other chronic conditions and functional limitations. But the reasons why some had support, while others did not, are unclear.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e028754
Author(s):  
Lindsey Brett ◽  
Joyce Siette ◽  
Amy Nguyen ◽  
Mikaela Jorgensen ◽  
Melissa Miao ◽  
...  

Objectives(1) To describe the processes used to plan and conduct a stakeholder forum in aged care as a means of informing future uptake of consumer participatory research. (2) To discuss how capturing and drawing on stakeholders’ experiences of aged care can generate new research ideas and inform the delivery of more person-centred aged care services.Key principles of consumer engagementA stakeholder forum was conducted as part of Ageing Well, a 2-year project evaluating the value and impact of social participation and quality of life tools as part of routine community aged care assessments at a large Australian provider. The forum was codesigned with community aged care clients and care coordinators and aimed to coproduce implementation strategies with a targeted representation of stakeholders. The stakeholder forum was developed using five key principles of consumer engagement activities: purposeful, inclusive, timely, transparent and respectful. The forum fostered an environment of mutual respect and collective inquiry to encourage contributions from all participants. This article outlines practical guidance on using a consumer engagement framework and the lessons learnt.DiscussionThe stakeholder forum facilitated an understanding of consumers’ needs and existing gaps in aged care services and the circumstances that can enable or hinder the delivery and implementation of these services. This collective information can guide future research and policy at institutional, regional and national committees that relate to aged care.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001212347


Author(s):  
Susann Porter ◽  
Tuija Muhonen

The aims of this qualitative grounded theory study were to explore how politicians accountable for Swedish elderly care viewed their assignment, their beliefs and knowledge regarding the psychosocial work environment for elderly care employees, the factors affecting their work environment, and how these politicians regarded elderly care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study consisted of 41 interviews with politicians in municipalities across Sweden. Three categories emerged from the analysis: (1) interpretation of the assignment directs the focus; (2) recognizing shortfalls in the employees’ work environment; and (3) exposing deficiencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The strongest category was identified as interpretation of the assignment directs the focus and was described as the delivery of good and quality care. Nevertheless, this study highlights shortfalls in the delivery of care services where the employees’ work environment, especially in the home care sector, was frequently described as stressful. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the work situation for staff in elderly care. In that setting, staff shortage and lack of competency were common. Nurses were particularly affected by high workload and responsibility. Further research should explore civil servant roles in the elderly care sector and how these actors view their collaboration with municipality politicians.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kichan Yoon ◽  
Insoo Lee ◽  
Youn-Tae Lee ◽  
Munjae Lee

Abstract Background: Aging societies are increasing the need for care services. In order to solve the problem of care, we suggest community care, and through this, we will provide medical services that meet individual needs. Korea provides care services in advance of the community care project and implements quality control to improve the quality of these social services. Therefore, this study aims is to intend to compare and analyze the factors affecting user satisfaction in care services in both 2013 and 2016.Methods: We used quantified secondary data based on social services performed analysis reports. Based on the evaluation indexes for care service in 2013 and 2016, we used commonly used indexes for analysis.Results: As a result, there was a difference between care services quality evaluation (QE) indexes by profit type, and care services evaluation indexes had an effect on user satisfaction. In addition, the change rate in the care service evaluation scores affects the change rate in user satisfaction.Conclusions: Therefore, in order to increase satisfaction with care service, evaluation indexes by service type should be diversified and differentiated. In addition, it should be composed of field evaluations related to user satisfaction to provide care services appropriate for local characteristics.


2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482092533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Beatrice Alba ◽  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Victor Minichiello ◽  
Mark Hughes ◽  
...  

Being comfortable in disclosing one’s sexual orientation to health and aged care providers is important for older lesbian and gay adults, given that nondisclosure is associated with poorer health and well-being outcomes. In a sample of 752 lesbian and gay adults aged 60 years and older living in Australia, we found only 51% of lesbian women and 64% of gay men felt fully comfortable to disclose their sexual orientation to health and aged care service providers. For both the women and the men, those who felt fully comfortable to disclose reported significantly less internalized homophobia; had fewer experiences of discrimination in the past year; and reported greater lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community connectedness. Feeling fully comfortable was also predicted by fewer experiences of lifetime discrimination among the men. These findings may help those seeking to assist older lesbian and gay people in feeling comfortable and being open with health and aged care service providers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 708-723
Author(s):  
Hassan Assareh ◽  
Joanne M. Stubbs ◽  
Lieu T. T. Trinh ◽  
Poorani Muruganantham ◽  
Bin Jalaludin ◽  
...  

Objective: Hospital use increases in the last 3 months of life. We aimed to examine its association with where people live and its variation across a large health jurisdiction. Methods: We studied a number of emergency department presentations and days spent in hospital, and in-hospital deaths among decedents who were hospitalized within 30 days of death across 153 areas in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during 2010-2015. Results: Decedents’ demographics and health status were associated with hospital use. Primary care and aged care supply had no or minimal influence, as opposed to the varying effects of areal factors—socioeconomic status, remoteness, and distance to hospital last admitted. Overall, there was an approximate 20% difference in hospital use by decedents across areas. In all, 18% to 57% of areas had hospital use that differed from the average. Discussion: The observed disparity can inform targeted local efforts to strengthen the use of community care services and reduce the burden of end-of-life care on hospitals.


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