Originally Posted by
justakiwi
Government funding must increase in the not too distant future, regardless of which party is governing. Over the next 10-20 years we will have a much greater population of elderly, and an explosion of people with dementia. That is a fact. The need for care is going to increase significantly. Oceania recognises this and is planning for it. Their focus is on care, which sets them apart from the others, and I think that will hold them in good stead. Government funding will have to increase. So will the wages of staff on the floor. It is no longer acceptable for someone like me to be doing what I do for just over $20-23 an hour. Countdown’s announcement today of pay increases for staff will see everyone working in a supermarket, earning more than I do. I have no problem at all with them being paid that, but it does show just how underpaid and undervalued caregivers are. Recent events have highlighted the role we play, the responsibility we hold, and I really hope it helps change the public’s poor opinion of caregivers.
I am not sure how the different levels of care rooms/suites work with Oceania - they have standard care rooms and premium care suites from what I can tell. I assume the government funds them both at the same rate and residents/families pay the difference for the premium rooms?
Regardless, care will continue to be an essential service and the government of the day will have to fund it better than they are right now.