Adelaide hearings of the Royal Commission now complete
Hearings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety were held in Adelaide during February and March with more than 28 key witnesses taking part. The first public…
Hunter law firm first to use University of Newcastle designed elder abuse toolkit
Hunter-based law firm, Catherine Henry Lawyers, is one of the first organisations in Australia to use a new, first of its kind, tool-kit designed to help the nation’s lawyers better…
Aged Care Royal Commission Public Hearings Start Monday 11 Feb
Welcome to our first new Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Blog. The first public hearings of the Commonwealth Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety will be…
Royal Commission into Aged Care begins
The preliminary hearings for the Royal Commission into aged care commenced on 18 January 2019. There was a call for submissions regarding: The quality of aged care services being delivered;…
The Federal Government’s Failure to Address the Crisis in Aged Care
We have been advocating for a better level of care for all residents of aged care facilities by expressing our disappointment with the Federal Government’s latest aged care “reform” and budget…
New Aged Care Watchdog Again Fails to Deal with Key Issue of Inadequate Staffing Requirements
Newcastle-based lawyer and Australian expert in aged care and health law, Catherine Henry, has criticised the Federal Government’s latest aged care policy announcement. The government this week announced that from…
New Aged Care Policy Falls Woefully Short
The Federal Government’s latest aged care policy announcement falls significantly short of what’s required to address the crisis in aged care. From January 1, 2019 a new, “independent” Aged Care…
Budget Reaction: Failure To Tackle Key Issues For Aged Care Residents
BUDGET REACTION: FAILURE TO TACKLE KEY ISSUES FOR AGED CARE RESIDENTS – NO MANDATED STAFF RATIOS A leading Australian elder care lawyer from Hunter based firm, Catherine Henry Lawyers, says…
Should nursing home doors be locked?
Practices in nursing homes across Australia vary when it comes to easy access for residents and visitors but should nursing home doors be locked? If you've visited a relative or…
How often should you update your Will?
Don’t be fooled into thinking your will is something you can do once, then “set and forget”. Your will is an important document for your family’s future. Circumstances change and…
ALRC Inquiry into Elder Abuse
Financial abuse can have a devastating effect on an elderly person, impacting their living arrangements, their ability to pay bills and possibly even their health. Worryingly, the statistics show perpetrators…
Providing the Helping Hand for Dementia Severe Behaviour
Late last year the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, announced a new Government initiative that will provide a helping hand to aged care residents who exhibit severe…
Older Australians staying out of aged care homes longer with home care
Indications are that older Australians are spending less time living in aged care homes despite their longer lifespans. It is believed that financial factors and a growing use of home…
Chemical restraint of the elderly in aged care facilities
There is growing concern about the use of chemical restraint of the elderly in aged care facilities, particularly as a first-step treatment or to manage staffing shortages. Public Advocate Colleen…
SummitCare alleged murder victim families call for stricter regulation
Families of the alleged victims of nurse Garry Steven Davis, 28, a nurse formerly employed at a Newcastle aged care facility operated by SummitCare, have called for stricter regulation of…
End of life care
End of life care, or the question “how would you like to die?” is an important topic which many families, care-givers and healthcare professionals struggle to discuss with patients who are…
Homeless Older Women
The number of homeless older women in Australia is increasing, according to the annual State of the Family report published by Anglicare Australia. This little-recognised phenomenon is linked to various social factors.…
Family Strife Over Elder Care? An Elder Mediation Could Help
One or both parents requiring care can create serious stresses and conflicts within families. Sometimes disagreements and misunderstandings over elder care or inheritance issues can lead families to break apart, affecting descendants…
Children and the Elderly – Making a Difference
Mackay mother, Khloe Dales is the mastermind behind a new initiative that is encouraging young children and their families to visit people in nursing homes. She says Little High Fives…
Mediation Program – Resolving Conflicts in Aged Care
Facilitated mediation may be an effective way to resolve conflicts between older people, their families and care providers. Preliminary results from a specialised conflict resolution program for seniors, run between a…
Stress less when caring for an ageing parent
I recently had the privilege of seeing and listening to Amy O’Rourke talking about caring for an ageing parent. Amy has a Masters in Public Health Administration, a Masters in…
