Aged Care Sector in Crisis: NZNO Report Reveals Disturbing Impact on Elderly

Strategic Insights -

New research, Care in Crisis: Manaaki i te Raru, conducted by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) reveals the severe consequences of an under-staffed and under-funded aged care sector on our elderly population. The report, launched in Wellington, highlights the devastating effects of inadequate staffing, including falls, infections, and neglect. NZNO's Age Safe committee co-chair Brianna Dynes states that residents are missing out on basic care due to the severe shortage of staff.

The report is based on in-depth interviews with 80 nurses and health care assistants, surveys of 415 aged care workers, and analysis of 156 health and safety issues related to unsafe staffing. Key findings indicate that:

Key Takeaways:

  • 53.4% of nurses and health care assistants reported their shifts were understaffed often or most of the time.
  • 87% of surveyed workers strongly agreed that staffing levels have affected their ability to provide high-quality care.
  • 43.9% of health care workers felt they didn't have enough time to do everything required most days.
  • 39.8% of surveyed workers reported frequently thinking about leaving the sector.
  • 25.2% of all shifts involved residents going without showers, getting meals late or cold, and receiving no help with toileting.
  • 87% of workers agreed that staffing levels impacted their ability to provide high-quality care.
  • 80% of health care workers reported that residents were not receiving adequate care due to staffing shortages.
  • Various health care workers shared disturbing stories of neglect and mistreatment of residents.

Statistics:

  • 53.4% of nurses and health care assistants reported their shifts were understaffed often or most of the time.
  • 87% of surveyed workers agreed that staffing levels impacted their ability to provide high-quality care.
  • 43.9% of health care workers felt they didn't have enough time to do everything required most days.
  • 39.8% of surveyed workers reported frequently thinking about leaving the sector.
  • 25.2% of all shifts involved residents going without showers, getting meals late or cold, and receiving no help with toileting.
  • 80 in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses and health care assistants.
  • 415 aged care workers participated in surveys.
  • 156 health and safety issues related to unsafe staffing were analyzed.
  • 53.4% of surveyed nurses and health care assistants reported their shifts were understaffed often or most of the time.

Sources:

  • "Care in Crisis: Manaaki i te Raru" report by New Zealand Nurses Organisation.
  • New Zealand Nurses Organisation Age Safe committee co-chair Brianna Dynes.
  • New Zealand Nurses Organisation Age Safe committee co-chair Tracey Morgan.