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Most care homes for the elderly do not meet minimum standards of care – new report

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New evaluation revealed that many Australian nursing home residents are not receiving the care they need and are entitled to.

The UTS Aging Research Collaborationduring which we’re involved, recently published its interim report for 2023-2024 on The aged care sector in Australia.

In this issue, special emphasis is placed on the level of direct care provided to residents in nursing homes by nurses and private care staff. In sharing this evaluation, we acknowledge that there’s a well-documented shortage of staff throughout the economy, and unemployment stays at almost historically lowestEven with workforce pressures in place, many aged care providers proceed to supply very high levels of care.

But a major number are not. Almost two thirds of aged care homes do not provide the level of direct care required. Yet taxpayers have paid healthcare providers tens of millions of dollars to supply this care. As a result, some suppliers run large surpluses.

New standards of direct care

In response to the findings of Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safetythe federal government committed to setting minimum standards for the amount of direct care time residents would receive. In 2022, all providers got a yr to extend staffing levels to meet those standards and got funding to do so.

These standards require a mean of 200 minutes of direct care per person per day across the sector (from registered and employed nurses and private care staff). And 40 minutes of this care should be provided by a registered nurse. The minimum level that every resident should receive varies above or below 200 minutes, depending on their assessed needs.

These standards have turn into mandatory October 1, 2023. For the first three months after mandatory goals were introduced, only half of all providers met or exceeded any of their care goals (total direct care minutes or registered nurse goal). Only 36% achieved each.



This was a slight increase in comparison with the previous quarter, but some suppliers still did not achieve the expected results.



Financing care costs

Residential care for the elderly is financed inside three predominant areas of activity:

  • direct care, corresponding to personal care and nursing, including bathing, dressing, toileting and private grooming (funded almost entirely by taxpayers)

  • every day living services corresponding to food, laundry and cleansing (paid mainly by residents and limited to 85% of single pension)

  • accommodation (government funded for those on lower incomes and self funded for those on higher incomes and wealth).

On advice Independent Healthcare and Aged People Pricing AuthorityThe government has increased direct funding for care for every resident of a residential care home for older people. The idea is that the home will use this money to rent enough staff to meet its care levels targets.

The report shows the difference between the average funding each residential care home receives for direct care and the expenditure on this activity. Comparing the half-yr results of the last three years, in 2021 and 2022, the homes generated a small surplus on average, where revenues were barely higher than salaries and other expenses. This situation, where funding is barely higher than costs, is the intended result of the new pricing reforms.



But rather a lot has modified recently. The government has significantly increased funding to cover the cost of employing staff to realize mandatory levels of care. It also increased funding in light of pay increases for direct care staff, mainly nurses and private care staff, decided by Fair Work Commission.

These taxpayer funds were distributed to each household regardless of whether or not they employed the required number of staff.

With some providers failing to meet their targets by December 2023, the sector generated on average a major direct care surplus of over A$13 per capita per day. Some providers use this money to cross-subsidize losses they incur on every day living services and accommodation.

Which homes are not fit for purpose?

We found that homes that did not provide mandatory care minutes had, on average, significant financial gains from direct care activities. Homes that had staffing levels that were significantly above the required level lost money on direct care.

Moreover, homes that did not provide mandatory minutes of care were more more likely to be situated in metropolitan centers and bigger regional centers. They were also more more likely to be operated by for-profit providers.

In fact, while we acknowledge the tight labor market and the efforts many homes are making to meet or exceed their mandatory requirements, a big number of residents are not receiving the care they need. This also implies that taxpayers are funding direct care that’s not being provided.

With a minimum average level of direct care in the sector because of growth to 215 minutes per resident per day from October 1 this yr (and nursing care time will increase to 44 minutes), this case may worsen even further.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Vice President Kamala Harris’ ascension and derailment to the White House is the story of many Black women, including me

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2024 Election, Concerned, black women


Written by Dr. Dionne Mahaffey

My heart is heavy. My mind is racing and I am unable to help but take into consideration what this latest era under Donald Trump means for me and for ladies who appear like me and who wanted Vice President Kamala Harris to win, not simply because of her policies and competence or its historical significance. We wanted her to win because having her as a black woman in charge could be a robust statement for a rustic that so often seems reluctant to recognize our strength, talent and humanity.

Madame Harris’s candidacy was deeply personal. Black women identified together with her story, her rise, her spirit. Like me, she grew up in a single mother’s home. She’s my sorority sister. I felt hopeful in the concept that for the first time a Black woman was on the verge of real power, not only next to it. She represented every part we are sometimes told we can’t be: good, uncompromisingly ambitious, compassionate, and yet fiercely independent. Her presence defied the “angry black woman” stereotype, and her resilience reminded us of the countless ways during which Black women have long been pillars of American progress.

But now plainly this dream has been placed on the back burner. Trump’s victory brings back a well-recognized fear. His administration has at all times signaled a disregard for racial equality and women’s rights. We’ve seen what happens when hard-won protections are dismantled: voting rights are violated, police grow to be more aggressive, access to health care is restricted, and social justice is sidelined. For me as a black woman, these changes aren’t abstract political moves; these are issues of survival and dignity. The rhetoric surrounding us is a direct reflection of how protected, valued and vulnerable we feel in our own country.

With Trump’s victory comes the specter of Project 2025, a conservative motion plan that would severely limit civil rights, access to health care and economic resources, especially for Black Americans. Proposed cuts and restructuring of health care, housing and education could reverse years of progress and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. In my work, I see the potential impact on Black-owned businesses that already face enormous barriers to accessing capital. My clients – small business owners who’ve put every part into their ventures – are actually apprehensive about surviving in an economy that will push them further aside. Their concerns echo my very own, underscoring a reality we all know all too well: for us, progress is never linear and actually not guaranteed.

Twice nearly as good

But she didn’t win. We know that Black women often have to be twice nearly as good to achieve half nearly as good. Instead, America selected a criminal over an experienced black woman and it hurts. His victory brought back memories of my very own profession, after I began my first job in the technology industry over 30 years ago. I earned a formidable six-figure salary and came upon that my white friend made $30,000 greater than me. I had a diploma; he didn’t do it. While I used to be promoted to manager, he was promoted to director, and the company ended up paying for his education while I self-funded my MBA. That was the first time I understood how much white men were pampered and given opportunities to achieve perfection that black women were simply expected to earn.

Kamala was greater than qualified — she had worked as a prosecutor for 13 years, was the first Black and South Asian woman elected as a district attorney in California, the first Black and South Asian woman in the United States Senate, and the first woman of color to function vice chairman. By contrast, Trump is a convicted felon, born into privilege, who paid someone to take the SATs, filed for bankruptcy six times, was found guilty of sexual assault, incited a deadly revolt and denied the results of the 2020 presidential election. But by some means he won.

For Black Americans, Trump’s return to office is greater than symbolic. The reality of Trump’s latest presidency appears to be looming. Project 2025 plans to dismantle civil rights protections, access to health care, and economic opportunity that our communities have fought to provide. For those of us who in the past were forced to work twice as hard to achieve half as much, the stakes couldn’t seem higher.

Peace priority

The consequences of these selections aren’t just political – they’re deeply personal. As a therapist, I actually have seen firsthand how alternative anxiety affects my clients. After the elections, this tension will only deepen. Many people struggle with concerns about their future safety, rights and dignity in an environment where they feel increasingly unheard and invisible. Advising clients in these times is difficult, especially knowing that they may face renewed threats to their mental health and well-being. They carry the burden of this country’s instability, and sometimes that burden is greater than anyone should bear.

While helping others, I also need to concentrate to my very own mental health. It’s hard to support others when your spirit is drained, when their fears mirror yours. Taking care of yourself is not just a buzzword for me now – it is a necessity. Every day I remind myself that I cannot pour from an empty cup; so as to serve my clients and community, I need to provide myself with a spot to rest, recharge, and find peace inside myself.

Protecting our peace in times like these requires intention and care. It starts with tuning out the noise – setting boundaries around the news to stay on top of things and prevent anxiety from creeping in. Community is a balm, a reminder that we’re on this together. Leaning on friends, family and networks keeps us grounded and resilient. Mindfulness practices, corresponding to just a few minutes of quiet reflection or deep respiratory, can show you how to regain calm in the face of stress. Taking small actions, volunteering, supporting essential causes restores a way of control and purpose.

And still we rise

When I take into consideration this moment, I do not forget that Black women have faced adversity for generations and proceed to thrive. Kamala Harris’s candidacy, irrespective of the end result, has ignited something inside us – the determination to claim our space, construct our communities, and defend justice. The fight for equality and progress doesn’t end with one election; it is a lifelong journey and we’re uniquely equipped to sail it.

So today I hold space for my disappointment. But tomorrow, like all Black women who know that our value, power, and stories are greater than any single person or alternative, I’ll return to work. We will proceed to move forward, not just for ourselves, but for generations who will look back on this moment and know that we never gave up. Together we embody resilience and together we are going to rise.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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WATCH: In the studio: Who decides on the war – Essence

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“; } }); // Drag and scroll functionality const playlistContainer = document.getElementById(‘playlist’); let isDown = false; let startY; let scrollTop; playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousedown’, (e) => { isDown = true; playlistContainer.classList.add(‘active’); startY = e.pageY – playlistContainer.offsetTop = playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseleave’; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseup’, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); }); mousemove’, (e) => { if (!isDown) return; e.preventDefault(); const y = e.pageY – playlistContainer.offsetTop; const walk = (y – startY) * 3; .scrollTop = scrollTop – walk; }); } } if (” !== ‘efoc24’) { // Check DoubleVerify Quality Targeting signals before rendering the player if ( ‘unknown’ !== typeof PQ ) { PQ.cmd. push(function() { // If DVQT signals are not available after 500 ms, render the player anyway. const timeout_id = setTimeout( jwPlayerRender, 500 ); // Get “Authentic Direct” signals. PQ.getTargeting({ signals: [‘abs’] }, function(error, targetingData) { clearTimeout(timeout_id); jwPlayerRender(error? undefined: targetingData); }); }); } else { jwPlayerRender(); } function jwPlayerRender( dvqt_signals=”” ) { let jw_ad_tag ​​= {“client”:”googima”,”adscheduleid”:”G7hR9pQ2″,”schedule”:[{“tag”:”https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?correlator=&iu=/21698916284/ess/VideoNews&env=vp&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&sz=400×300%7C640x480%7C1000x1%7C1920x1080&description_url=__page-url__&tfcd=0&npa=0&vpmute=1&vpa=auto&vad_type=linear&url=__page-url__&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&v=BHeaONV5&pmnd=0&pmxd=60000&ad_rule=1&cust_params=ttid%3DBHeaONV5%26frnch%3D__item-franchise__%26environment%3Dproduction%26kwblock%3Ddis%2CAbb%2CAir%2CDIS+2%2CCapOne%2CCapOne2%2CLincoln%2CUPS%2CVG%2CATTCric%2Cmcd%2CTargetbos%2CEFOC_Tar.%2CToyota%2CNationwide%2CDisney%2CKISQALI+420491%2CPubW+Precision%2Cattefoc3%2CWalmart%2CHyundai2023%2CHuluPMP%2CCokeBWIH%2CAxSpA”,”offset”:”pre”},{“tag”:”https://vid.springserve.com/vast/670880?url=https://www.essence.com/news/watch-in-the-studio-who-decides-war/h=450&w=800&cb=2735″,”offset”:”50%”}]”offers”:{“bidders”:[{“id”:”jw-video-BHeaONV5″,”name”:”jwdemand”,”publisherId”:”evcxFIDZ”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”24399785″}]”settings”:{“disableConsentManagementOnNoCmp”:true,”mediationLayerAdServer”:”dfp”,”floorPriceCents”:200,”floorPriceCurrency”:”usd”,”buckets”:[{“increment”:0.1,”max”:30,”min”:0},{“increment”:0.5,”max”:50,”min”:30}]}}}; // Configure ad tag on the fly… let additional_params = {}; // Input DVQT signals. if ( dvqt_signals && dvqt_signals.ABS.length > 0 ) { additional_params.ABS = dvqt_signals.ABS.join(“,”); } // Create a string of additional_parameters. let extra_params_str=””; for (enter additional_parameters) { let value = additional_parameters[key]; additional_params_str += `${key}=${value}`; if ( key !== Object.keys( additional_params .pop() ) { additional_params_str += ‘&’; } } // Update ad tag cust_params (must be URL encoded). if ( Object.keys( additional_parameters ). length > 0 ) { let ad_schedule = jw_ad_tag.schedule; if ( ‘undefined’ !== ad schedule type ) { for (let i = 0; i < ad_schedule. length; i++) { let ad_url = new URL(jw_ad_tag. schedule[i].label); let query_params = new URLSearchParams(ad_url.search); query_params.set("cust_params", query_params.get("cust_params") + `&${additional_params_str}`); ad_url.search = query_params.toString(); jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].tag = ad_url.toString(); } } } let playerId; if ("undefined" !== type jwplayerQueue) { playerId = 'jw-video-BHeaONV5'; jwplayerQueue.push({ 'instanceId': 'playerInstance_BHeaONV5', 'playerId': playerId, 'config': { pid: 't6KP9zcV', playlist: "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BHeaONV5", autostart: !jw_ad_tag, repeat: true, mute: true, aspect ratio: "16:9", share: {sites: ["facebook", "twitter", "email", "linkedin"]}, cast: {}, float: {disibility: true}, autoPause: {viewability: true}, displaytitle: true, displaydescription: true, controls: true, related: {displayMode: 'shelfWidget'}, interactive: {} , ad: jw_ad_tag ​​​​} }); } // Load video. jQuery(window).trigger("jw:loadplayers"); function waitForJWPlayer(callback) { if (type jwplayer !== 'undefined') { callback(); } else { setTimeout(function() { waitForJWPlayer(callback); }, 500); } } waitForJWPlayer(function() { jwplayer(playerId).on('adsManager', function (adsManagerLoaded) { let adsManager = adsManagerLoaded.adsManager; let videoElement = document.getElementById(playerId ); let config = { anId: '929481' , campId: '640x360', ias_xps: "autoplay", // autoplay status ias_xbp: "2", // video destination type ias_xar: "1" // autoplay status }; // Start IAS integration googleImaVansAdapter .init(google, adsmanager, videoitem, config } } });

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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SEE: On my feed – Black women react with shock, resignation and anger to Donald Trump’s presidential victory – Essence

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“; } }); // Drag and scroll functionality const playlistContainer = document.getElementById(‘playlist’); let isDown = false; let startY; let scrollTop; playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousedown’, (e) => { isDown = true; playlistContainer.classList.add(‘active’); startY = e.pageY – playlistContainer.offsetTop = playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseleave’; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseup’, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); }); mousemove’, (e) => { if (!isDown) return; e.preventDefault(); const y = e.pageY – playlistContainer.offsetTop; const walk = (y – startY) * 3; .scrollTop = scrollTop – walk; }); } } if (” !== ‘efoc24’) { // Check DoubleVerify Quality Targeting signals before rendering the player if ( ‘unknown’ !== typeof PQ ) { PQ.cmd. push(function() { // If DVQT signals are not available after 500 ms, render the player anyway. const timeout_id = setTimeout( jwPlayerRender, 500 ); // Get “Authentic Direct” signals. PQ.getTargeting({ signals: [‘abs’] }, function(error, targetingData) { clearTimeout(timeout_id); jwPlayerRender(error? undefined: targetingData); }); }); } else { jwPlayerRender(); } function jwPlayerRender( dvqt_signals=”” ) { let jw_ad_tag ​​= {“client”:”googima”,”adscheduleid”:”G7hR9pQ2″,”schedule”:[{“tag”:”https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?correlator=&iu=/21698916284/ess/VideoNews&env=vp&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&sz=400×300%7C640x480%7C1000x1%7C1920x1080&description_url=__page-url__&tfcd=0&npa=0&vpmute=1&vpa=auto&vad_type=linear&url=__page-url__&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&v=XwtX3gTf&pmnd=0&pmxd=60000&ad_rule=1&cust_params=ttid%3DXwtX3gTf%26frnch%3D__item-franchise__%26environment%3Dproduction%26kwblock%3Ddis%2CAbb%2CWal%2CAir%2CCapOne%2CLincoln%2CCoca%2CUPS%2CVG%2CATTCric%2CTargetbos%2CEFOC_Tar.%2CToyota%2CTylenol%2CNationwide%2CDisney%2CAT%26T+2023%2CAT%26T+Dream%2CKISQALI+420491%2CHulu%2CGM%2Cattefoc%2Cattefoc3%2CBuick2%2CGMBuick2%2CHuluPMP%2CCokeBWIH”,”offset”:”pre”},{“tag”:”https://vid.springserve.com/vast/670880?url=https://www.essence.com/news/watch-in-my-feed-black-women-respond-with-shock-resignation-and-anger-to-donald-trumps-presidential-win/h=450&w=800&cb=2436″,”offset”:”50%”}]”offers”:{“bidders”:[{“id”:”jw-video-XwtX3gTf”,”name”:”jwdemand”,”publisherId”:”evcxFIDZ”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”24399785″}]”settings”:{“disableConsentManagementOnNoCmp”:true,”mediationLayerAdServer”:”dfp”,”floorPriceCents”:200,”floorPriceCurrency”:”usd”,”buckets”:[{“increment”:0.1,”max”:30,”min”:0},{“increment”:0.5,”max”:50,”min”:30}]}}}; // Configure ad tag on the fly… let additional_params = {}; // Input DVQT signals. if ( dvqt_signals && dvqt_signals.ABS.length > 0 ) { additional_params.ABS = dvqt_signals.ABS.join(“,”); } // Create a string of additional_parameters. let extra_params_str=””; for (enter additional_parameters) { let value = additional_parameters[key]; additional_params_str += `${key}=${value}`; if ( key !== Object.keys( additional_params .pop() ) { additional_params_str += ‘&’; } } // Update ad tag cust_params (must be URL encoded). if ( Object.keys( additional_parameters ). length > 0 ) { let ad_schedule = jw_ad_tag.schedule; if ( ‘undefined’ !== ad schedule type ) { for (let i = 0; i < ad_schedule. length; i++) { let ad_url = new URL(jw_ad_tag. schedule[i].label); let query_params = new URLSearchParams(ad_url.search); query_params.set("cust_params", query_params.get("cust_params") + `&${additional_params_str}`); ad_url.search = query_params.toString(); jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].tag = ad_url.toString(); } } } let playerId; if ("undefined" !== type jwplayerQueue) { playerId = 'jw-video-XwtX3gTf'; jwplayerQueue.push({ 'instanceId': 'playerInstance_XwtX3gTf', 'playerId': playerId, 'config': { pid: 't6KP9zcV', playlist: "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XwtX3gTf", autostart: !jw_ad_tag, repeat: true, mute: true, aspect ratio: "16:9", share: {sites: ["facebook", "twitter", "email", "linkedin"]}, cast: {}, float: {disibility: true}, autoPause: {viewability: true}, displaytitle: true, displaydescription: true, controls: true, related: {displayMode: 'shelfWidget'}, interactive: {} , ad: jw_ad_tag ​​​​} }); } // Load video. jQuery(window).trigger("jw:loadplayers"); function waitForJWPlayer(callback) { if (type jwplayer !== 'undefined') { callback(); } else { setTimeout(function() { waitForJWPlayer(callback); }, 500); } } waitForJWPlayer(function() { jwplayer(playerId).on('adsManager', function (adsManagerLoaded) { let adsManager = adsManagerLoaded.adsManager; let videoElement = document.getElementById(playerId ); let config = { anId: '929481' , campId: '640x360', ias_xps: "autoplay", // autoplay status ias_xbp: "2", // video destination type ias_xar: "1" // autoplay status }; // Start IAS integration googleImaVansAdapter .init(google, adsmanager, videoitem, config } } });

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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