Caring for the Aged Care Workers in Western Australia

Abstract

The changing population trends and social preferences towards caring for the elderly indicate that three million additional Australians will seek aged care services by 2050. Such demand will put further stress on the already under-resourced and underfunded aged care sector to deliver appropriate services to current and future older Australians. It is in this context; this paper reports on key factors that influence Aged Care Worker's (ACWs) intention to stay or leave employment within aged care facilities in Western Australia (WA). The thematic findings from interviews with 11 managers and 14 ACW as well as survey results from 79 ACWs have the potential to inform policies and organizational strategies to attract and retain ACW in WA and beyond.