We've become accustomed to announcements of a looming shortage of aged care workers across Australia.

With those announcements come forecasts of lower quality care and escalating costs at increased risks for the older generation.

The triggers for such announcements are easy enough to depict. The rapid growth of the elderly and lower salaries for aged care workers, along with the anticipated avalanche of retirements are genuine concerns.

But, it's not all doom and gloom in this sector.

Our country's aged care workers put in a great deal of time and effort, working tirelessly to provide a high quality of care to our older population. We must realise that there are different definitions of “sub-standard” care, many of which draw an unfair picture of negativity on Australian aged-care professionals.

It's Not as Negative as It's Portrayed

While facilities and our professionals do face challenges, there is a relatively high percentage of the country's labour force employed in the aged care sector. In fact the Australian Bureau of Statistics data reports that the sector accounts for 15 percent of workers in South Australia alone, with the national average sitting at 13 percent.

However, the Australian Nursing Federation has called on Federal Government to implement a minimum carer-to-resident ratio after several surveys have found that aged care worker's workload has increased significantly in the last couple of years.

What's more, it's been reported that increased levels of aggression, such as shoving, grabbing, yelling, and pinching, from residents towards care workers have soared, and that, coupled with inadequate pay, makes working conditions for our professionals even tougher.

Things Are Looking Up

The Government is working towards improving the conditions of those working in the aged care sector. For instance, the Living Longer, Living Better package allowed for $1.2 billion towards the improvement of conditions, wages, and even career paths within aged care.

This is certainly a welcome initiative for an industry that already boasts hard workers and high standards and is set to go along way towards sustainable improvement in working conditions. It's good news, considering aged care is one of the fastest growing areas of budget expenditure.

The Need for Aged Care Workers

According to a professor at Griffith's Centre of Health Practice Care Innovation, Wendy Moyle, our country's aging population means there is a solid need for a high quantity of specialist aged care workers.

Along with the increase in our elderly population comes a greater focus on healthcare complexities and the comorbidities representative of this demographic. Candidates who specialise in aged care work can look forward to a soar in job opportunities, from community aged care managers to residential aged care managers in nursing homes.

Further, the Federal Minister for Ageing has reportedly said that under the government's Aged Care Act, nursing homes must maintain a sufficient number of appropriately skilled staff for care needs to be met.

In recent years, too, the government has increased funding for aged care workers, which means adequate wages are possible.

Are You Considering a Career in Aged Care?

It really isn't as negative as reports make out. This sector, in terms of a career, can be highly rewarding. It requires patience, empathy, and resilience, but with adequate training, aged care workers can, and do, provide high standards of care to our aging generation.

Looking to take up work in Australian aged care? Talk to Hugh. (03) 8606 0359