Staff shortages and a lack of rapid antigen tests are among the top concerns of home care providers, a survey shows.
The survey of almost 300 industry insiders was completed at a recent webinar conducted by home care specialist Lorraine Poulos & Associates.
Managing Director Lorraine Poulos says the main concern amongst providers is lack of staff, with 52 per cent of the 291 respondents expressing concern about staff shortages in their organisation.
“It was the concern before COVID and now it’s even greater,” she told Community Care Review.
Provider anxiety levels differed across the country, Ms Poulos said.
“Melbourne is quite used to it, they were quite prepared for the second round of Omicron.
“Whereas in Queensland, and other states like South Australia, they are watching and waiting and trying to learn what strategies they need to have in place.”
More RATs needed
Survey respondents are also worried about the lack of rapid antigen tests, with 13 per cent reporting it as a concern.
Ms Poulos says she was surprised to learn that some providers expected care workers to pay for rapid antigen tests.
“You have a work health and safety responsibility to keep your workers safe at work.” – Lorraine Poulos, Managing Director
“I would have thought that was a tool of trade, and so you have a work health and safety responsibility to keep your workers safe at work,” she said.
“It is part of that requirement. I think (providers) should, like you do for PPE … pay for it.”
Respondents were also concerned about lack of supplies and poor morale.
Ms Poulos says there appears to be some confusion amongst providers around their responsibilities in care provision and exposure to infections, as well as poor understanding of what are considered essential and non-essential services.
Concerns over long-term decline
Providers expressed concern about the long-term impact covid might have on clients’ functional decline.
“They’re not getting the regular visits, they’re not getting the regular contact,” Ms Poulos said.
“So, whilst the immediacy in residential care is very evident, I think in home care, with anything, the long term impact on people (will be) social isolation and … not being able to get out and about and live their normal life.”
“I think in home care, with anything, the long term impact on people (will be) social isolation and functional decline.” – Lorraine Poulos, Managing Director
Most of the respondents of the survey said their home care service has been disrupted by the pandemic, with 50 per cent saying service provision was moderately disrupted and 33 per cent saying it was somewhat disrupted.
However, the majority expressed optimism about the future , with 59 per cent saying they were very optimistic and 14 per cent very optimistic.
Ms Poulos believes this optimism could be due to demand.
“I think there’s just an ever increasing demand, so it’s not like a business where it’s shrinking, residential care occupancies seem to be decreasing, whereas that’s not the case in home care,” she said.
“Providers are all working very collaboratively together to support each other and that’s a positive thing.”
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