The safety of seniors staying in aged care facilities has been a big issue in Australia as of late and this has prompted the need for more (and better) policies to protect them.

Recently, it was reported that a 51-year-old aged care worker allegedly ran up a debt of over $23,000, taking advantage of an 81-year-old pensioner with dementia who was residing in an aged care facility.

It was said that the elderly woman was residing in a facility in Yass, NSW, for over a year, which allegedly resulted in a debt of over $23,000 being accumulated through the use of her debit card in NSW and the ACT over 12 months.

The incident was said to have been reported by the facility to the authorities, leading to the woman's arrest.

An aged care facility worker was accused of robbing $23,000 from an 81-year-old dementia patient by using her debit card for a year. Credit: Pexels/Matthias Zomer.

It was reported that the 51-year-old was arrested at 7:15 pm on Wednesday at Yass Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception. She was given a strict conditional bail, which requires her to attend Yass Local Court on the 16th of this month.

The alleged incident has cast a dark shadow over the aged care sector and poses another reminder of the many challenges of the industry in the country.

As the population of seniors in the country steadily increases, more care facilities are popping up to cater to the needs of older Australians.

A recently released preliminary report showed that 10 per cent of Australia's aged care facilities are failing seniors in their care. This has prompted the public and authorities alike to demand better care for older Australians, especially in a sector that is largely underpaid.

Additionally, the government’s five-star rating system, which was made as one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, evaluated 2671 aged care facilities across Australia on a variety of factors, such as staffing levels, food quality, experiences of the residents, complaints, and incidences of serious harm.

It was found that only about one per cent of the homes received a five-star rating. In contrast, almost 60 per cent received a three-star rating, nine per cent received a two-star rating, and nearly one per cent received a one-star rating.

Key Takeaways

• A 51-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly defrauding an elderly woman with dementia out of more than $20,000 while the victim was residing at an aged care facility.
• The alleged incident took place in the town of Yass, located in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
• It was reported that the 81-year-old woman lost her savings during her 12-month stay at the facility.
• The alleged incident is another reminder of the many challenges facing the aged care sector here in Australia.

While the ratings and facilities have not been made public yet, there are plans to make the report accessible by around late December on the federal government’s website myagedcare.gov.au.

What are your thoughts, folks? Should the woman be criminally charged considering her position as a care provider? Better yet, do you think the government should publicise the list of facilities and their ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Marino]

I believe this woman has betrayed the trust of her employer and the dear elderly lady who was taken advantage of. Also, she has caused suspicions to be raised of all aged care workers, which is sad because many of them are very kind and honest. Yes, I think she should be criminally charged as it was premeditated, and her example may act as a deterrent for others who may be that way inclined.

 

[Shane O'Neill]

The safety of seniors staying in aged care facilities has been a big issue in Australia as of late and this has prompted the need for more (and better) policies to protect them.

Recently, it was reported that a 51-year-old aged care worker allegedly ran up a debt of over $23,000, taking advantage of an 81-year-old pensioner with dementia who was residing in an aged care facility.

It was said that the elderly woman was residing in a facility in Yass, NSW, for over a year, which allegedly resulted in a debt of over $23,000 being accumulated through the use of her debit card in NSW and the ACT over 12 months.

The incident was said to have been reported by the facility to the authorities, leading to the woman's arrest.

An aged care facility worker was accused of robbing $23,000 from an 81-year-old dementia patient by using her debit card for a year. Credit: Pexels/Matthias Zomer.

It was reported that the 51-year-old was arrested at 7:15 pm on Wednesday at Yass Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception. She was given a strict conditional bail, which requires her to attend Yass Local Court on the 16th of this month.

The alleged incident has cast a dark shadow over the aged care sector and poses another reminder of the many challenges of the industry in the country.

As the population of seniors in the country steadily increases, more care facilities are popping up to cater to the needs of older Australians.

A recently released preliminary report showed that 10 per cent of Australia's aged care facilities are failing seniors in their care. This has prompted the public and authorities alike to demand better care for older Australians, especially in a sector that is largely underpaid.

Additionally, the government’s five-star rating system, which was made as one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, evaluated 2671 aged care facilities across Australia on a variety of factors, such as staffing levels, food quality, experiences of the residents, complaints, and incidences of serious harm.

It was found that only about one per cent of the homes received a five-star rating. In contrast, almost 60 per cent received a three-star rating, nine per cent received a two-star rating, and nearly one per cent received a one-star rating.

Key Takeaways

• A 51-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly defrauding an elderly woman with dementia out of more than $20,000 while the victim was residing at an aged care facility.
• The alleged incident took place in the town of Yass, located in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
• It was reported that the 81-year-old woman lost her savings during her 12-month stay at the facility.
• The alleged incident is another reminder of the many challenges facing the aged care sector here in Australia.

While the ratings and facilities have not been made public yet, there are plans to make the report accessible by around late December on the federal government’s website myagedcare.gov.au.

What are your thoughts, folks? Should the woman be criminally charged considering her position as a care provider? Better yet, do you think the government should publicise the list of facilities and their ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

Charge the woman involved and jail her that's bloody disgusting stealing from a dementia patient and the government should make public the ratings of the system so people know what they actually do the one's with ratings less than 3 should be shut-down or pressured to lift their game and it would be interesting which one's are private and public with low ratings

 

[terri]

Ratings should be made known. The elderly dont need to be taken advantage of by an uncaring home that should be treating them with respect and care.

 

[Pat T]

The safety of seniors staying in aged care facilities has been a big issue in Australia as of late and this has prompted the need for more (and better) policies to protect them.

Recently, it was reported that a 51-year-old aged care worker allegedly ran up a debt of over $23,000, taking advantage of an 81-year-old pensioner with dementia who was residing in an aged care facility.

It was said that the elderly woman was residing in a facility in Yass, NSW, for over a year, which allegedly resulted in a debt of over $23,000 being accumulated through the use of her debit card in NSW and the ACT over 12 months.

The incident was said to have been reported by the facility to the authorities, leading to the woman's arrest.

An aged care facility worker was accused of robbing $23,000 from an 81-year-old dementia patient by using her debit card for a year. Credit: Pexels/Matthias Zomer.

It was reported that the 51-year-old was arrested at 7:15 pm on Wednesday at Yass Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception. She was given a strict conditional bail, which requires her to attend Yass Local Court on the 16th of this month.

The alleged incident has cast a dark shadow over the aged care sector and poses another reminder of the many challenges of the industry in the country.

As the population of seniors in the country steadily increases, more care facilities are popping up to cater to the needs of older Australians.

A recently released preliminary report showed that 10 per cent of Australia's aged care facilities are failing seniors in their care. This has prompted the public and authorities alike to demand better care for older Australians, especially in a sector that is largely underpaid.

Additionally, the government’s five-star rating system, which was made as one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, evaluated 2671 aged care facilities across Australia on a variety of factors, such as staffing levels, food quality, experiences of the residents, complaints, and incidences of serious harm.

It was found that only about one per cent of the homes received a five-star rating. In contrast, almost 60 per cent received a three-star rating, nine per cent received a two-star rating, and nearly one per cent received a one-star rating.

Key Takeaways

• A 51-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly defrauding an elderly woman with dementia out of more than $20,000 while the victim was residing at an aged care facility.
• The alleged incident took place in the town of Yass, located in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
• It was reported that the 81-year-old woman lost her savings during her 12-month stay at the facility.
• The alleged incident is another reminder of the many challenges facing the aged care sector here in Australia.

While the ratings and facilities have not been made public yet, there are plans to make the report accessible by around late December on the federal government’s website myagedcare.gov.au.

What are your thoughts, folks? Should the woman be criminally charged considering her position as a care provider? Better yet, do you think the government should publicise the list of facilities and their ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

Yes, ratings should be for people to make an informed choice. What was the worker doing with the woman’s debit card. If given to get a particular item a receipt should be given when returning the card and a check by someone more senior. The woman? Charged and jailed. She is an outright thief. It wasn’t even $5 towards petrol. It was ongoing crimes.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Yes to both these things, but people need to be aware it is not only aged care facilities where these things happen.This happened in our family where one family member had taken out power of attorney without other family members being aware of it.
He had a good time fleecing the bank account and also pressured his mother into changing her will more heavily in his favour.

 

[Bernice S]

The safety of seniors staying in aged care facilities has been a big issue in Australia as of late and this has prompted the need for more (and better) policies to protect them.

Recently, it was reported that a 51-year-old aged care worker allegedly ran up a debt of over $23,000, taking advantage of an 81-year-old pensioner with dementia who was residing in an aged care facility.

It was said that the elderly woman was residing in a facility in Yass, NSW, for over a year, which allegedly resulted in a debt of over $23,000 being accumulated through the use of her debit card in NSW and the ACT over 12 months.

The incident was said to have been reported by the facility to the authorities, leading to the woman's arrest.

An aged care facility worker was accused of robbing $23,000 from an 81-year-old dementia patient by using her debit card for a year. Credit: Pexels/Matthias Zomer.

It was reported that the 51-year-old was arrested at 7:15 pm on Wednesday at Yass Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception. She was given a strict conditional bail, which requires her to attend Yass Local Court on the 16th of this month.

The alleged incident has cast a dark shadow over the aged care sector and poses another reminder of the many challenges of the industry in the country.

As the population of seniors in the country steadily increases, more care facilities are popping up to cater to the needs of older Australians.

A recently released preliminary report showed that 10 per cent of Australia's aged care facilities are failing seniors in their care. This has prompted the public and authorities alike to demand better care for older Australians, especially in a sector that is largely underpaid.

Additionally, the government’s five-star rating system, which was made as one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, evaluated 2671 aged care facilities across Australia on a variety of factors, such as staffing levels, food quality, experiences of the residents, complaints, and incidences of serious harm.

It was found that only about one per cent of the homes received a five-star rating. In contrast, almost 60 per cent received a three-star rating, nine per cent received a two-star rating, and nearly one per cent received a one-star rating.

Key Takeaways

• A 51-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly defrauding an elderly woman with dementia out of more than $20,000 while the victim was residing at an aged care facility.
• The alleged incident took place in the town of Yass, located in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
• It was reported that the 81-year-old woman lost her savings during her 12-month stay at the facility.
• The alleged incident is another reminder of the many challenges facing the aged care sector here in Australia.

While the ratings and facilities have not been made public yet, there are plans to make the report accessible by around late December on the federal government’s website myagedcare.gov.au.

What are your thoughts, folks? Should the woman be criminally charged considering her position as a care provider? Better yet, do you think the government should publicise the list of facilities and their ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

I definately think that the ratings of facilities should be published. My sister has been in a nursing home for over 7 years. She has dementia as is totally dependant on the staff there. Her husband visits her daily and I visit once a week. Most of the staff are wonderful and very caring but we have often noticed things that we have questioned and there is always room for improvment. Some residents have no visitors at all. So they totally dependant on the home.

 

[Jo Piper3]

Of course the woman should be criminally charged as she was dishonest and took advantage of a vulnerable Resident. The fact that she is a carer is irrelevant.

 

[annvic]

Elder abuse, animal abuse, child abuse - mistreatment of any kind should be a criminal offense and there should be no defense at all for these villains. JAIL them and throw the keys away. The trouble with the judicial system is there is too much leniency for the villains.

 

[Powhatan]

I say yes to make the ratings public. my wife is in a nursing home. They need more staff. the ones that are there are doing a good job.90% of them live in the local town and the rest in the local region. My wife has only 20 dollars on her at any one time and no debit cards or credit cards. so she is safe there. As far as that person is concerned, jail her for life.

 

[JehazFNQ]

Please definitely post the ratings; I noted (with amusement) the “Hmmm” comment from my son when I announced that I hope to be still riding my Harley when I turn 80. It told me that a safe facility could be closer than I think. All joking aside, we have comparisons for most other things from health care to which kettle is best value, so bring on a rating for aged care ASP. Oh, and definitely jail time for low lifes who prey on the most vulnerable in our society!

 

[Ricci]

Definitely bring on the rating system, we need to know which of these places are performing well.

The lady (?) in question should really have the book thrown at her, if only to act as a deterrent to others in a similar situation. What was she doing with possession of the residents debit card anyway?

 

[Maaaaaa]

I worked in Aged Care for over 20 years and this Accreditation (Rating) is totally rubbish, If the rating is bad now, they must have been worse prior to Ratings. The Company I worked for, we were told to be on our utter best, Physio's and Lifestyle staff where everywhere, (normally cannot be found) on the day and they also told us what to say when the Accreditation/Ratings people came around and interviewed different care staff, so they would look like the perfect Aged Care facility and would pass with flying colors. After that it went back to being them, horrible. I don't know if Ratings and Accreditation are the same, but it sounds very much like it.

 

[Jenna]

Yes she should be charged.. The safety of seniors staying in aged care facilities has been a big issue in Australia as of late and this has prompted the need for more (and better) policies to protect them.

Recently, it was reported that a 51-year-old aged care worker allegedly ran up a debt of over $23,000, taking advantage of an 81-year-old pensioner with dementia who was residing in an aged care facility.

It was said that the elderly woman was residing in a facility in Yass, NSW, for over a year, which allegedly resulted in a debt of over $23,000 being accumulated through the use of her debit card in NSW and the ACT over 12 months.

The incident was said to have been reported by the facility to the authorities, leading to the woman's arrest.

An aged care facility worker was accused of robbing $23,000 from an 81-year-old dementia patient by using her debit card for a year. Credit: Pexels/Matthias Zomer.

It was reported that the 51-year-old was arrested at 7:15 pm on Wednesday at Yass Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception. She was given a strict conditional bail, which requires her to attend Yass Local Court on the 16th of this month.

The alleged incident has cast a dark shadow over the aged care sector and poses another reminder of the many challenges of the industry in the country.

As the population of seniors in the country steadily increases, more care facilities are popping up to cater to the needs of older Australians.

A recently released preliminary report showed that 10 per cent of Australia's aged care facilities are failing seniors in their care. This has prompted the public and authorities alike to demand better care for older Australians, especially in a sector that is largely underpaid.

Additionally, the government’s five-star rating system, which was made as one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, evaluated 2671 aged care facilities across Australia on a variety of factors, such as staffing levels, food quality, experiences of the residents, complaints, and incidences of serious harm.

It was found that only about one per cent of the homes received a five-star rating. In contrast, almost 60 per cent received a three-star rating, nine per cent received a two-star rating, and nearly one per cent received a one-star rating.

Key Takeaways

• A 51-year-old woman has been charged with allegedly defrauding an elderly woman with dementia out of more than $20,000 while the victim was residing at an aged care facility.
• The alleged incident took place in the town of Yass, located in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
• It was reported that the 81-year-old woman lost her savings during her 12-month stay at the facility.
• The alleged incident is another reminder of the many challenges facing the aged care sector here in Australia.

While the ratings and facilities have not been made public yet, there are plans to make the report accessible by around late December on the federal government’s website myagedcare.gov.au.

What are your thoughts, folks? Should the woman be criminally charged considering her position as a care provider? Better yet, do you think the government should publicise the list of facilities and their ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Vinylted]

Yes and YES!

 

[gordon1940]

I believe this woman has betrayed the trust of her employer and the dear elderly lady who was taken advantage of. Also, she has caused suspicions to be raised of all aged care workers, which is sad because many of them are very kind and honest. Yes, I think she should be criminally charged as it was premeditated, and her example may act as a deterrent for others who may be that way inclined.

Now this is one crime that SHOULD be widely published by the Media, in full detail.

 

[JustPat]

Yes, unfortunately this sort of thing is happening to often. While my mother was in temporary care while I had spinal surgery and recovery phase, she had her wedding ring and engagement ring stolen and replaced with a cheap gold looking band. Her wedding ring was over 70 years old, and the engagement ring had belonged to my great-grandmother. Though reported nothing came of it.

 

[Ricci]

Yes, unfortunately this sort of thing is happening to often. While my mother was in temporary care while I had spinal surgery and recovery phase, she had her wedding ring and engagement ring stolen and replaced with a cheap gold looking band. Her wedding ring was over 70 years old, and the engagement ring had belonged to my great-grandmother. Though reported nothing came of it.

A similar thing happened to me with my Mum, she died in care and the trouble was trying to prove if it was the care home employees or the funeral home that relieved her of approx $15,000 worth of jewellery. The only thing I did get back was her engagement ring and a couple of higher end paste dress rings. My grandmothers wedding and engagement rings were nowhere to be found and we never did find her locket with locks of my grandparents and my deceased daughters hair. The diamond earrings that were the last present my father gave her before he died had disappeared as well. Boy was I mad but like you I reported it but had no satisfaction.

 

[Cher]

I worked in Aged Care for over 20 years and this Accreditation (Rating) is totally rubbish, If the rating is bad now, they must have been worse prior to Ratings. The Company I worked for, we were told to be on our utter best, Physio's and Lifestyle staff where everywhere, (normally cannot be found) on the day and they also told us what to say when the Accreditation/Ratings people came around and interviewed different care staff, so they would look like the perfect Aged Care facility and would pass with flying colors. After that it went back to being them, horrible. I don't know if Ratings and Accreditation are the same, but it sounds very much like it.

The process for accreditation has changed. The facility where my partner works are going through the process now with the commission and they are there for the complete week. They have just finished going through all the paperwork for training to make sure everyone has received training and are also going through all of the governance paperwork as well at the present. Yes, they still do ask staff questions, however, the questions are never the same ones as they continuously change. They also interview the residents as well.

If you wish to read further check out the link below:-

About accreditation | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

What is accreditation?

www.agedcarequality.gov.au

There is also a phone number at the end of the page if you have any concerns about the quality of care and services of a home. If you do not wish to read the article then this is the phone number to call 1800 951 822

 

[annvic]

May I suggest that for everyone in the care of others - never have any money or jewellery around. If anything at all -these items are bait for theft by the employees caring for them.
And also, if you are planning for a deceased one, remove ALL jewellery and items of precious possession from the body. The dead is not planning to take it with them , only the hospital employees, morgue handlers, cremation employees, etc. Even in burial, remove all jewellery and bits and pieces and only bury the body in an outfit.
When my mother was in a coma in hospital, she had her precious rosary with her but it was unaccounted for when the body was removed from the bed. At that point in time, its too late. You are overcome with grief and funeral arrangements, and something small like that would easily be overlooked by family members. and tis too late to accuse anyone.
The funeral director also advised my sister to make sure that all jewellery is removed from her body before they remove her body.