Resources

The 2023 Open Access article introduces the Occupational Communion Scale (OCS) to measure social connectedness among aged care workers. Based on data from 2,451 participants, the 28-item scale identifies six factors influencing engagement and well-being. Findings suggest that fostering workplace belonging enhances staff retention and care quality.

This Age Care Today article provides an overview of the current state of staff shortages in the sector and how to create sustainable workforce solutions. 

This AIHR blog provides insight into how to measure employee engagement, with helpful advice into how to calculate employee retention rates.

This article from ShiftCare outlines seven practical strategies for aged care providers to boost staff retention and improve the quality of care provided to elderly Australians.

This article from Selmar discusses the current aged care path to reform, with a particular focus on leadership pathways and workforce retention.

This 2015 study explores what influences personal care workers in Australian aged care to stay or leave their jobs. Key retention factors include supervisor support and job embeddedness. Community care staff reported greater support and were more likely to stay. Age and health did not predict turnover intentions.

This blog from Alaya Care lists helpful tips managers can use to ensure effective communication with their care workers. 

This resource from the University of Sydney provides readers with information on the importance of seeking early dementia diagnosis. It provides readers with a checklist to identify dementia symptoms and advice on starting difficult conversations with family members and GP.

This article from Bolton Clarke discusses the Connecting Communities to Care project aimed at reducing social isolation, loneliness and depressive symptoms and preventing unnecessary hospitalisation in older people in Melbourne. 

This article from the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) written by Dr Rajna Ogrin discusses the potential benefits of social prescribing to address the undesirable impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults.