A further sign that operators – especially stand-alone providers – are being financially stretched to the limit.
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten last week issued a call out to constituents in his Maribyrnong electorate to donate iPads and laptops to Holloway Aged Care in Keilor East, 13km northwest of the Melbourne CBD.
CEO Lauren Arnold confirmed the call out had been initiated by the husband of one of their 70 residents, who said he wanted to thank the home for supporting his wife by asking his local member for a shout out to bring in more technology.
Lauren says they have been trying to raise funds and donations after the home’s second iPad broke.
While some residents have their own iPads and staff have donated a telephone, they do not have the budget to supply more technology on top of the increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On top of their 100 staff, they have just purchased extra PPE stocks, completed their influenza vaccination program and are rostering more frequently – though agency staff are proving tough to attract because of the pandemic.
“Protecting staff and residents is certainly the priority,” she said.
How many other operators are in the same situation?
