Greetings our NurseGenies! It's always a busy time winding down the year and preparing for the next. This is a little reminder for all of us to take a moment to replenish our emotional stores by doing something that is just for ourselves: give yourself permission to stare at the sky, doomscroll for 15 minutes, have a serve of your favourite snack. 

Whatever you choose to do for you, we support you. 

Read on for some helpful tips for the holiday period and updates within the aged care industry. 

ROAD SAFETY

Many of us will be on the roads this holiday period, whether that be travelling to loved ones or to holiday destinations, out and about celebrating, or like many in the aged care industry, travelling to and from work. 

Throughout the months of December and January, the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) Christmas Campaign implores all road users to choose #roadsafety over the holiday period.

The ARSF provide wonderful resources on their Road Safety Resilience guidelines, such as: 

1. Remember that safety starts with you!
2. Preparedness – Things you can do ahead of time
3. Hazards – Be prepared for the unexpected & drive to suit the conditions
4. Action – Be the change you want to see on the road 

FATIGUE

We know that many of you will continue to work over the holiday period ensuring that your residents are diligently cared for; but we want to make sure you are looking after yourself as well.

Fatigue can lead to medication errors and near misses in the workplace. More so, it can lead to personal negative long term health impacts such as heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, and diabetes to name a few.

Fatigue can show itself in the following signs:

• Poor decision-making
• Yawning
• Difficulty concentrating or joining conversations
• Slow reflexes or coordination

From one healthcare worker to another - make sure you stay alert at work this holiday period. Stay hydrated, eat nutritious food, get enough sleep, keep up physical exercise and take frequent breaks.

For any longer term or continual fatigue risks in the workplace, please speak to your manager and WHS representative, and review the guidelines offered by WorkSafe in your relevant state. 

NEW AGED CARE ACT - DRAFT IS OUT

It is finally here: the final draft of the new aged care standards, which will inform the legislative drafting of the new Aged Care Act; due to be published in 2024. Please note the draft is meant for information only, i.e. not yet in operation. Some light reading for the holiday period!

Have your say

Born out of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and part of the Government’s strategy to repair the aged care industry comes the new Act. It is a phased process and is focused on a rights-based approach, with older people at the centre of aged care.

Everyone can take part in the consultation, and this includes: older people, their carers and families, aged care workers and providers, specialists and scholars and anyone with an interest in the industry.

You can have your say in the below ways.

1. Email AgedCareLegislativeReform@health.gov.au
2. Call 1800 318 209
3. Register for workshop or complete an online survey at AgedCareLegislativeReform@health.gov.au

Please note that feedback needs to be submitted by 7pm AEDT Friday 16 February 2024.

As always, if you’d like assistance with anything related to aged care nursing, whether you are a nurse or a provider, your Nurse Generation team is here to support you. We are here to take care of the people (YOU) who take care of the people (OUR RESIDENTS).

May your heart-cup be filled to overflowing,

Qing
Chief Experience Office