Stella Hamilton, 72, spent the last 6 months of her life as a resident on the dementia wing at an aged care facility in Malanda, south-west of Cairns. She was found deceased in her room on the 31st of July, 2016, but was unconscious and expected to pass away in the days leading up to the discovery of her body. While this is obviously a distressing time for a loved one, this is a fairly inconspicuous and everyday occurrence within...

The week 14-20 October is National Nutrition Week, a time to think about our food choices, now, and as we age. Nutrition is important no matter what age you are - it’s just as important to get it right when you are aged 85 years as it is when you are in your teens. Living a healthy and active life is closely linked to a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity paired with wise food choices. Research has proved that...

Last night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the long awaited Terms of Reference for Australia’s Royal Commission into aged care. Flanked by Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt, and Health Minister, Greg Hunt, the Prime Minister provided some forewarning on the subject matter that this inquiry will shed light on. “I think the country is going to have to brace itself for some difficult stories,” he said. “But that’s part of the process of this royal commission, to confront these stories honestly...

Five Melbourne centenarians joined in Bolton Clarke’s first Victorian Centenarian Club celebration on 12 October, coinciding with the Victorian Seniors Festival. Channel 9 presenter Peter Hitchener was Master of Ceremonies at the high tea event at Melbourne Town Hall. Centenarian guests enjoyed entertainment including from The Sassy Sisters and shared their more than 500 years of lived experience during a chat with Mr Hitchener. Bolton Clarke Chairman Pat McIntosh said Bolton Clarke welcomed about 50 new centenarians each year among...

Stella Hamilton, 72, spent the last 6 months of her life as a resident on the dementia wing at an aged care facility in Malanda, south-west of Cairns. She was found deceased in her room on the 31st of July, 2016, but was unconscious and expected to pass away in the days leading up to the discovery of her body. While this is obviously a distressing time for a loved one, this is a fairly inconspicuous and everyday occurrence within...

Meaningful Ageing Australia is launching several initiatives this week to boost understanding about the importance of spiritual care for people’s quality of life as they age. It has released a joint position statement, developed with Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), calling for the universal acceptance of the importance of spiritual support in aged care for all stages of the ageing journey. “In the position paper, we call for the integration of spiritual care...

The World Health Organisation estimates that there are roughly 50 million people in the world currently living with dementia, and that Alzheimer's Disease accounts for 60-70% of these cases in total. Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects the elderly, damaging the brain and resulting in diminished cognitive abilities which usually can have a devastating effect on a person's memory. Your life is your story, but for those of us born in bygone eras, the chances of having all of the significant moments...

Please ensure you have read the published Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6 of this article, and have located the relevant appendices. "Go and love someone exactly as they are. And then watch how quickly they transform into the greatest, truest version of themselves. When one feels seen and appreciated in their own essence, one is instantly empowered." - Wes Angelozzi Bio psychosocial/communication Understand the life transitions of the person in every...

My 81 year old, moderately dementia-affected father was admitted as an in-patient in a private hospital in Queensland on 13 June 2018. I am his Enduring Power of Attorney. He does not have capacity having mixed dementia - vascular dementia and Alzheimers. On his very first night in hospital, without my knowledge or consent, his treating physician authorised the administration of Haloperidol, a 50 year old antipsychotic sedative, for "agitation" as he was getting out of bed often to use the...

We all have a vested interest in aged care.  Whether the recommendations of the Royal Commission are sound and implemented will answer the vital Four Corners question Who Cares? From 1 July 2018, residential aged care homes are no longer given notice of the date of their AACQA re-accreditation audit.  Under a crackdown by the national auditor following the Oakden scandal, unannounced audits are catching some homes out, who are failing to meet all 44 expected outcomes. When...

A nursing home in Woodend, Victoria, where a resident sexually assaulted a frail woman in her 80s, has now been sanctioned by the Department of Health. The facility has been sanctioned following an audit by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, with the Department of Health deeming the facility to pose “an immediate and severe risk to the health, safety and wellbeing of care recipients”. “Serious concerns” were raised in the audit about Bupa Woodend’s staffing, health and personal care...

The number of people with dementia is growing - and with it, the number of people caring for them. In Australia, there are more than 400,000 people living with dementia. And that number is growing daily, with around 244 people developing some form of dementia every day. So, what does it take to care for people living with dementia? Some may say patience, others may say kindness, but a vital skill that many underestimate is resilience. Resilience is the...