The rapid move by retirement village sector into providing supportive care services to residents will result in staff being exposed to resident bullying.
With village residents staying on campus longer with an increased incidence of cognitive decline, village staff will increasingly be involved in a higher level of interaction with these residents. It is a Fact of aged care support that emotional instability leads to rare but real cases of emotional bullying of staff by declining residents - accusations of events that are not real or overstated.
Lawyers are advising Village operators to implement training programs and processes to support staff and minimise risk of staff claims against operators.
For example last week and aged care nurse, Lee-Ann Mandic, launched a claim in the SA Supreme Court for $3.135 million against Allity Management Services. She states Allity failed to protect her from harassment by an elderly resident who states that she manhandled another female resident who was suffering from dementia.
Allity did nothing to stop the bullying, harassment, assault, battery and victimization she asserts.
Robin Lyons, Partner at Minter Ellison, will present a paper on the risks of aged care in villages at our LEADERS SUMMIT 10-11 March in Sydney. Check details HERE.
