As workers in dementia care, we are carrying out some of the most hidden, difficult and under-recognised work in this country. Acute dementia patients regularly refuse personal care but with time for care being allotted to the minute, we simply don’t have the time to wait with them to help them settle. Alongside me are three other carers for the morning shift to care for 20 acute dementia patients. Care work is so devalued in our society, experienced workers in acute dementia facilities are barely earning a living wage. Without the aged care workers who care so much about these older Australians, where would these vulnerable people be?

Source: The Guardian May 23, 2019 05:01 UTC