A chat, a fresh mango or a crossword, they all brighten a day
Everyone can make a difference to the quality of our aged care homes, says Alison Jacob
THE announcement of a royal commission into aged care and the distressing reports on nursing homes are provoking a great deal of reaction and public comment. My experience, as a regular family visitor and volunteer in aged care homes, is much better than the picture being depicted. Nevertheless, there is little doubt chronic systemic issues related to funding levels; staff-resident ratios and training; and systems of monitoring require urgent government intervention.
The Federal Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, has said up to 40 per cent of people in aged care homes never get visitors and are left on their own without contact from family or friends. It is horrifying to think an elderly person could be transferred to a home and left to make all of the necessary adjustments while being abandoned by everyone in his or her life.
An equally damning statistic is that 47 per cent of people in permanent residential aged care have depression, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare research last year. This picture of lonely, depressed and isolated elderly people living out their final years in difficult circumstances should be shaming to us all.
It would be easy to adopt a “blame the government and bureaucracy” attitude and sit back and wait for further shocking and deeply sad stories during the royal commission before some recommendations for improvements are implemented. But the issues in aged care homes should make every one of us resolve to do something about it and do it now. So what can we do?
The first thing is visit. If you have a relative, friend, nextdoor neighbour, member of a club or community group, former work colleague or anyone you know living in an aged care home, visit them. Just do it. All of the excuses about nursing homes being depressing places and wanting to remember the person as they were or being too busy and not being able to find a place to park are pretty feeble.
Avoid the half-anxious, half-pious mood of performing a duty and expectations of sitting in a stuffy room with nothing to say. If you enjoy the visit, chances are the resident will too. Call in on the way back from the supermarket and take a new season mango, pick a posy of garden flowers, buy a decent take-away coffee and share morning tea, bring the children or grandchildren during school holidays, drop in when you are walking the dog, take in the newspaper and read out a couple of articles or work on the crossword, share some photos, have a hug. There are many ways to brighten a day.
The second thing to consider is getting involved in a supervised and monitored volunteer program. All aged care homes depend on volunteers to supplement activities and programs. Volunteers might simply visit nominated residents for a quiet chat at their bedside. They might remind residents about appointments or accompany them on activities. They might do a manicure or take a resident for a walk.
If you have a hobby or special talent it is highly likely there are residents in aged care who share your interest and passion. Maybe you play an instrument, enjoy scrabble or are an excellent knitter. Staff would love to hear your ideas for involving a resident or entertaining a group.
My husband and I love ballroom dancing in two aged care homes and this has been a popular activity that is keenly
anticipated by many residents. Some of the audience simply enjoy the music and movement while others have taken to the dance floor with a level of confidence and enjoyment that surprises everyone. My husband used to read scientific journals to an ex-science teacher and teaches mah-jong to some very keen beginners. I have a regular patchwork group that has sewn quilts, besides being an ideal forum for sharing memories and gossip. Members of my family have revitalised a garden courtyard and ensure it is regularly watered and the bird-feeding table supplied. The experience of a colourful garden with plentiful flowering plants and birdlife brightens lots of days. My sister has assisted a resident poet compile and publish a book of his work. However, she is most popular when she brings in the family dog that thrives on being petted and cuddled as she does the round of residents.
From my experience, visiting and volunteering is a source of great satisfaction and enjoyment. I have experienced great joy and shared some very special moments as well as felt frustration and anguish when conditions fall short. Visiting family and friends and participating in volunteering makes a real difference to residents’ quality of life, but here is the most important thing: it provides a monitoring and accountability role that is vitally important to any care environment and can’t be provided by government or bureaucracy. You get to know staff and other members of the community and give and receive honest feedback. You celebrate when things are going well and care when a resident seems out of sorts. You notice things like lost glasses and when hearing aid batteries are flat. You are in a good position to assess the care being delivered and when improvements are needed. You can ask questions and raise concerns. You can help maintain connections and normalise interactions by bringing a bit of the real world into the home. Above all, you can stop aged care homes becoming isolated and artificial environments where neglect and abuse could happen. It’s a small enough thing to do and might make a real difference.
Alison Jacob was a psychologist and special educator who worked in the State Public Service for more than 30 years, including as deputy secretary of education and deputy secretary of human services. In 2016, she and her husband were winners of the Tasmanian aged care volunteer contribution award.