Carers responsible for aged and disabled family members are calling on the federal government to rethink a funding strategy that threatens to close nursing homes.
The federal government's plan to link funding to new building requirements by 2008 has raised fears of a bed shortage with already stressed families.
Anglicare, a prominent nursing home provider, says the new funding policy will require nursing homes to include mostly single-bed rooms, more showers and small lounge rooms instead of larger communal areas.
Carers like Joan Lonsdale of Caringbah say the requirements don't take into account the complex nature of caring for the elderly.
"It’s ridiculous that residents will be forced into single rooms. My mum would have been very lonely in a room by herself all the time. She loved the social aspect and got a lot of stimulation out of watching all the comings and goings,” Mrs Lonsdale said.
Three of Anglicare's Chesalon homes at Jannali, Malabar and North Manly will face closure because they cannot qualify for funding under the new scheme.
Carol Allen, Anglicare's general manager for Aged Services says many Sydney nursing homes in established suburbs are unable to meet the new requirements because rebuilding is impossible on confined residential blocks.
Mrs Lonsdale calls the new requirements a slap in the face for carers who, like her, turn to charitable organisations like Anglicare to gain the sort of care many profit-driven nursing homes don't offer.
"The fact that the building will not meet the 2008 certification requirements is no reflection on the amazing level of care provided by the staff," she said.
Mrs Lonsdale cared for her mother at Caringbah home until injury forced her to seek help from the threatened Jannali home.
"I had injured my ribs and back trying to lift mum, so we just couldn’t care for her at home any longer. The hospital could not take her and I just wouldn’t have slept at night if she had been in a private nursing home run for profit. I would have been anxious that people wouldn’t have treated her with love and dignity."
Anglicare says policies encouraging people to stay at home longer are only appropriate if there are sufficient services to support an aging population.
"We must face up to the limitations of our current policy of keeping elderly Australians at home longer. Eventually many will need permanent care in a nursing home and this is where our nation is significantly under-resourced," Ms Allen said.
