Families, carers and residents often chose a particular aged care facility because they were assured of the steps it takes to ensure personal safety and security.

Increasingly, though, reports have emerged of insecure facilities, poor background checks and other residents with problematic behaviours.

One NSW centre last year failed a number of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency’s key benchmarks, including staff working without criminal history checks, residents right to privacy not being respected, under-resourced cleaning and catering teams and repairs not being promptly addressed.

Conversation starter

Have you or a loved one felt that personal safety or security was less than anticipated in an aged care facility? What were your experiences? Was the matter raised with the facility’s management or an external body? If it was a serious incident, were police notified? Was a formal complaint lodged? What was the outcome or consequences?