AHHA recommends that further research and analysis of patient-to-staff ratios be undertaken to allow value and evidenced-based tools to appropriately quantify the best mix of staff (roles, scope and number) to match the number, clinical acuity and care needs of residents in residential aged care facilities and aged care service users living in the community.
Given the high prevalence of complex needs amongst residents and/or aged care service users it is necessary for aged care providers to respond accordingly, delivering clinically appropriate, high-quality and safe care. This requires access to an aged care workforce with skills in delivery of :
- chronic disease/s management,
- palliative care,
- pain management,
- dementia care, and
- medicine management, including after-hours.