Regional hearings and forums for the Royal Commission into Aged Care
The latest hearings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety have wrapped up in Mudgee. The three day hearing inquired into the shortfalls and challenges in aged…
The Royal Commission to Aged Care Quality and Safety Hearings
The second and third Melbourne hearings of the Royal Commission to Aged Care Quality and Safety have inquired into diversity in aged care and the aged care workforce, respectively. Hearing…
Younger people in residential aged care – Melbourne Aged Care Royal Commission
The first Melbourne hearing inquired into younger people in residential aged care, with a focus on impact, drivers and appropriateness of allocation policy as well as how to best support…
Aged Care Home Death | Our Client’s Story
When our clients' 87-year-old mother was admitted to an aged care home in the Hunter region, they had no idea that in just four short months she would suffer injury…
Explosive evidence from the Brisbane Aged Care Royal Commission hearing
This month’s Brisbane hearings of the Aged Care Royal Commission highlighted fundamental problems with the regulation of our aged care system. As well as nursing home residents, their families and…
Mildura hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission
Mildura was host to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearing between July 29 and 31. According to senior counsel assisting the commission, Peter Gray, QC, the town…
Darwin and Cairns hearings of the Aged Care Royal Commission
The most recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearings in Darwin and Cairns highlighted some of the fundamental problems in Australia’s aged care sector - a lack…
Perth hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission
The Perth hearing of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety inquired into the nature of person-centred care, advanced care planning and palliative care services. As is the…
Broome Hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission
The Broome hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission has been completed and the Perth hearing is now underway, June 24 to 28. The Broome public hearing inquired into access…
Sydney hearings of the Royal Commission complete
The Aged Care Royal Commission held its latest hearings in Sydney. They took place between May 6 and 8 and between May 13 and 17. The public hearing inquired into:…
Negligent Care Within Aged Care Facilities All Too Common | Our Client’s Story
We acted for the daughter and granddaughter of a man (Mr W) who died as a result of the negligent care he received at an aged cared facility in Parramatta,…
Unsafe Conditions in Retirement Village | Our Client’s Story
We acted for a client regarding the unsafe conditions and poor treatment she received as a resident in a retirement village. Our client was unable to live peacefully in her…
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…