Category: Latest industry developments

Earlier this week the DCM Institute presented two webinars in partnership with the Retirement Village Residents’ Association of NSW, during which they shared the alarming statistic that two thirds of residents were not aware of their village’s Elder Abuse Policy.

The research paper, titled ‘Ageing Without Fear’, was launched a fortnight ago to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Funded by the NSW Government, the final report details the extent of psychological elder abuse within retirement villages following the survey of 1,259 residents across 120 communities.

In presenting the report’s findings on the specific subject of a village’s Elder Abuse Policy, Roger Pallant, Secretary of the RVRA NSW, went on to say this does not mean the policy doesn’t exist.

“We all know the retirement villages regulations [NSW] requires you to have one,” Roger said.

Roger went on to say that perhaps operators have to inform village managers to communicate the existence of this policy more within their villages.

“The findings of this research are extremely relevant, and extremely real to both Managers of and residents in retirement villages,” said James Wiltshire, Executive Director of the DCM Institute, and moderator of the webinars.

James went on to note that the DCM Institute has seen a increase in traffic within their Knowledge Centre following the webinars with participants in their Village Manager Professional Development Program refreshing themselves on the topic of Elder Abuse, and accessing the policy documentation available.

For more information on DCM Institute’s Village Manager Professional Development Program click here.

Events to mark NAIDOC Week, 2 July to 9 July, will take place throughout Australia and lots of retirement living residents and operators are organising celebrations with this year’s theme ‘For Our Elders’.

Across every generation, Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in Aboriginal communities and families.

They possess cultural knowledge, are trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and loved ones.

Anglicare Southern Queensland, which owns and operates home care, retirement villages and residential aged care, is sponsoring the Logan NAIDOC Family Fun Day at the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct on Tuesday, 4 July.

Activities include a flag raising ceremony, traditional dances, stalls and rides, music and entertainment, a language workshop, a damper-making competition, weaving, bush tucker tasting, a free BBQ, didgeridoo workshops, and more.

The NAIDOC Awards ceremony will be broadcast on NITV from 7.30pm AEST on Saturday (1 July).

There was lots of excitement for the residents at Aveo Group’s The Manors of Mosman last week when their Community Manager, Jo-Anne Quinn was recognised as National Village Manager of the Year.

Presented the award in front of 585 industry peers on the Gold Coast, Jo-Anne thanked her staff and her residents for inspiring her every day. She has been employed at Aveo Group since January 2015.

Retirement Living Council Executive Director Daniel Gannon said it was important to acknowledge and celebrate the great people and teams reshaping the industry across Australia.

“This industry is turbo-charged with talent, including dedicated village managers, purposeful customer-focused operators, and innovative service providers,” he said.

DCM Institute Executive Director, James Wiltshire, who was one of the judges of this awards, spoke highly of the calibre of candidates considered for the Award.

“Each year our job as judges gets harder. Which is a credit to the growing professionalism residents want to see in their Village Managers around the country,” James said.

The gender pay gap continues to be a pressing issue across various industries, and the retirement village sector in Australia is no exception.

According to a recent survey conducted by the DCM Institute, the majority of Village Managers in the country are women (69%). This same study goes on to reveal the significant disparity in pay between male and female Village Managers.

“On average, the salary of male Village Managers was over $17,000 higher than that of their female counterparts,” said James Wiltshire, Executive Director of the DCM Institute.

The survey indicated that female Village Managers received an average salary of just over $91,000, while their male counterparts earned more than $108,000 on average.

“The discrepancy in pay is disheartening,” said James, highlighting the need for immediate attention to address this inequality.

As previously reported, the rate of pay for Village Managers is still below the average $110,000 wage for a property manager in Australia, which generally is less demanding.

“The DCM Institute is drawing attention to pay to recognise the pivotal role Village Managers play in the lives of seniors across the country. These dedicated professionals are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of retirement communities, ensuring the well-being and quality of life for elderly residents,” said James.

“By openly discussing and actively working towards closing the gender pay gap in the retirement village sector is vital to retain talented individuals, and attract new talent into the sector.

“Equitable compensation encourages professional growth and advancement. It fosters a positive work culture that benefits not only the employees but also the organisations they serve.”

The survey by australiaonline.com canvassed 186 retirement village and community managers across Australia.

The DCM Institute survey of 186 retirement village and community managers across Australia asked how long Village Managers intend to stay in the role and why they intend to leave.

The survey found that 78% of Village Managers were generally satisfied with the role, however only 38% with their happy with their salary.

The following responses should concern village operators:

• 18% currently seeking roles outside of the retirement living sector;
• 24% indicating they will not be in the role in 12 months’ time; and
• 42% indicating they will not be in the role in three years’ time.

“When you consider how Managers feel about how much they are earning each year, we can’t be surprised to read that two out of every five managers won’t be in the role in 3 years’ time,” said James Wiltshire, Executive Director of the DCM Institute.

The DCM Institute has been talking about the results of this survey to ensure operators and residents alike are aware of the emerging challenges the sector faces should circumstances not change.

“There needs to be a conversation between operators and residents to move the needle,” James said. “At the same time, operators need to consider other ways they can invest in their people to retain them.”

As reported previously in The WEEKLY SOURCE, research conducted by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) has shown that that investing in professional development programs leads to better leadership capabilities, enhanced business performance, increased employee satisfaction, and higher retention rates (ASTD, 2019).

The DCM Institute currently has more than 500 Village Managers enrolled in their professional development program.

“These Managers represent more than 120 operators who understand the importance of the continuing to develop the skills and abilities of their people given the important role they play in creating positive resident experiences.”

Tasmanian Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs, Elise Archer, today said it will amend the 2004 Act to address concerns regarding significant increases to annual recurrent charges and levies.

“Over recent months, my office and I have met with a number of residents of retirement villages and representative groups, including the newly formed Tasmanian Association of Residents of Retirement Villages,” she said.

“I have listened to these concerns, and we are now in the process of drafting legislation to amend the Act to strengthen protections, bringing Tasmania in line with other states such as Victoria, aimed at providing more robust protections and certainty for residents.“

Retirement Living Council Executive Director Daniel Gannon said he looks forward to working closely with the Tasmanian Government to ensure the right balance is struck between operator viability and consumer comfort.

“The RLC recently met with the newly formed Tasmanian Association of Residents of Retirement Villages and is arranging a meeting with the State Government to discuss reform.”

Last month, the WA Government drafted new legislation including exit entitlements to former residents to be paid within 12 months from when the resident leaves; the SA Government has released 60 proposed changes to the Retirement Villages Act 2016, the QLD Government is reviewing its legislation, and the VIC Government is seeking consultation on its Retirement Villages Amendment Bill.

Every older person deserves to age with dignity and without fear. It’s time to stand up, speak out, and protect our vulnerable seniors from the horrors of elder abuse.

The United Nations designated 15 June as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It represents the main day in the year when the world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on older people

In our collective mission to ensure the well-being and safety of our residents, we use this Day as a timely reminder on the warning signs of elder abuse, and to emphasise the importance of implementing robust policies and procedures to protect our residents.

Understanding the Scope of Elder Abuse

The World Health Organization describes elder abuse as a violation of human rights and a significant cause of illness, loss of productivity, isolation and despair. (WHO 2002 Active Ageing Policy Framework). As such, it is an issue that affects not only the person who is impacted directly but also the broader community.

According to Maree McCabe, CEO of Dementia Australia, between two and fourteen percent of older Australians experience elder abuse each year, with potentially higher rates during times of isolation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for awareness and an understanding of what action can be taken when one of the warning signs has been observed. Some key indicators include:

• Unnecessary isolation: Look out for instances where an person is excessively isolated by a partner, family member, or friend.
• Behavioural changes: Pay attention if an person starts disengaging from family members, community activities they’d otherwise attend, the communal areas, or other essential services. Such withdrawal may indicate underlying abuse.
• Restricted access to support: If a person is being prevented from accessing potential support systems or modes of communication, such as phone or internet, it could be a red flag.
• Financial irregularities: Be cautious if large debts start to accumulate on a resident’s monthly account, or if you hear about large sums of money missing from a someone’s account. Financial abuse is a common form of elder abuse.
• Emotional distress: Take note if a person expresses hopelessness or makes threats of self-harm. Such indicators should be taken seriously and addressed promptly.

Taking Action and Seeking Assistance

In the face of elder abuse, it is essential to have resources readily available to provide immediate support. Here are several hotlines you can reach out to for assistance and guidance:

• ACT: Older Persons Abuse Prevention Referral Line – (02) 6205 3535
• NSW: NSW Elder Abuse Helpline – 1800 628 221
• NT: Elder Abuse Information Line – 1800 037 072
• QLD: Elder Abuse Prevention Unit – 1300 651 192
• SA: Elder Abuse Phoneline – 1800 372 310
• TAS: Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline – 1800 441 169
• VIC: Seniors Rights Victoria – 1300 368 821
• WA: Elder Abuse Helpline – 1300 724 679

Policy and Compliance:

Both the government and the retirement village sector recognise elder abuse as a critical component of resident services. It is essential for village professionals to have robust elder abuse policies and procedures in place. Compliance with the Code of Conduct and accreditation requirements necessitates a comprehensive approach to addressing and preventing elder abuse within our retirement communities.

DCMI Village management professional development participants have access to templates for Elder abuse policy and procedures in the online Resource Bank. Check out our new DCM Institute portal here.

World Elder Abuse Day serves as a reminder to prioritise the protection of our residents. By recognising warning signs, providing support, and adhering to established policies and procedures, we can collectively work towards creating safe and nurturing environments for our residents.

As National Volunteer Week celebrates the incredible contributions of volunteers across the country, Uniting Bowden Brae Residential Aged Care home in Normanhurst is thrilled to welcome students from Pymble Ladies College Junior School. This collaboration brings together the youngest Change Makers in the spirit of giving back.

On Friday, May 12, a group of 10 enthusiastic Year 6 girls from PLC Junior School visited the residents of Uniting Bowden Brae for the first time. Their commitment to volunteering will continue as they dedicate an hour of their time every fortnight throughout the year.

Nerissa Davey, Deputy Head of PLC Junior School, expressed pride in the girls’ decision to volunteer at Bowden Brae. She stated “We’re very proud of them, and we’re hoping they’ll get as much out of this experience as the residents here. It’s really great for the girls to learn how much the aged have to offer and how much they can learn from them.”

This partnership marks an exciting opportunity to invest in the next generation of volunteers, as highlighted by Gail Yap, Uniting Volunteer Lead. Yap expressed enthusiasm, saying, “The brand-new partnership with PLC Junior School is an exciting opportunity to invest in the next generation of volunteers.”

National Volunteer Week, with this year’s theme being “The Change Makers,” couldn’t be more fitting for this collaboration between Uniting Bowden Brae and PLC Junior School. These young Change Makers will bring joy, companionship, and fresh perspectives to the residents, fostering meaningful connections and intergenerational learning.

As National Volunteer Week reminds us, volunteers are the backbone of our society, and their dedication and selflessness shape communities for the better. Uniting Bowden Brae and PLC Junior School exemplify the true spirit of volunteering, embodying “The Change Makers” theme and inspiring us all to make a difference.