COVID-19 exposes deficiencies in aged care

In an opinion piece in The Canberra Times on 12 August, Professor Meera Agar writes about the importance of palliative care in aged care facilities. Professor Agar argues that we can’t wait for the pandemic to pass before examining its impacts.

In the wake of spiking case numbers in Victoria, the Royal Commission in Aged Care Quality and Safety, established in October 2018, is now also examining the impact of COVID-19 on the aged care sector. Professor Agar writes that this is both fortuitous and much needed given the deficiencies in the aged care sector that have been highlighted by the pandemic, especially in relation to palliative care.

Palliative Care Australia has made eight key recommendations to the Royal Commission. Among these recommendations is a call for greater funding and resourcing of residential aged care facilities, together with an increased investment in palliative care in aged care. 

In addition to much-needed funding, communication with families of aged-care residents must be a priority. For those residents receiving palliative care, a compassionate approach to visiting arrangements is needed. 

Palliative care should be core business in aged care, and its importance has been emphasised during this time. COVID-19 has also brought many deficiencies in aged care into sharper relief.

COVID-19 has put aged care in the spotlight for its challenges and deficiencies, but it also highlights an opportunity for the aged care sector to work collaboratively with other agencies to address gaps in care. 

Professor Meera Agar is an IMPACCT Professor of Palliative Medicine and Chair of Palliative Care Australia [opens external link].

Read the full article “COVID-19 drives home the importance of palliative care” [opens external link] from the Canberra Times.