Where are the workers/who will pay? New academic-based consumer survey to rate aged care misses the mark

Designed by Flinders University, the Consumer Choice Index – 6 Dimension (CCI-6D) questionnaire aims to measure six characteristics of quality care:

1. formal caregivers are able to spend enough time attending to individual’s needs;
2. the shared spaces of the facility are home-like and non-institutional;
3. the individual rooms of the facility are home-like and non-institutional;
4. there is choice in access to outside and gardens;
5. there is access to meaningful activities individualised for the person;
6. there is flexibility in the time that care activities are undertaken.

The researchers say the index could be used to provide a framework for national benchmarks and ratings in aged care, and if made available to the public, could help families make more informed choices about aged care providers.

However all of these measures – home-like environments, individual activities and flexible time – require additional work by staff – and cost more. Providing access to the outdoors and gardens can also prove difficult in high-rise facilities.