Latest news with #inhomecare
ABC News
a day ago
- Health
- ABC News
Uniting Care to cut 120 Queensland jobs ahead of aged care reforms
Frail and elderly Queenslanders relying on in-home nursing care will be impacted by a new round of job cuts to Uniting Care services. The healthcare provider will cut about 120 jobs from its Blue Care community services division, which provides at-home care for vulnerable and elderly people. The organisation's group executive, Maria McLaughlin-Rolfe, said the charity would make the cuts "as part of a strategy to position itself for operational sustainability" ahead of the federal government's long-awaited aged care reforms. "Regrettably, this change and the impact of reform mean some roles are no longer viable or required," Ms McLaughlin-Rolfe said in a statement. The job cuts come just over a year after the organisation sacked about 340 employees. Financial documents show Uniting Care recorded a loss of nearly $95 million last financial year, up from a $53 million loss in the previous year. Ms McLaughlin-Rolfe said no frontline care staff would lose their jobs in the latest round of cuts. Aged care reforms passed by the previous federal government in bipartisan support with the Coalition will change how home care operates. The reforms were due to take effect from July 1 but have been delayed until November. The new Support at Home program will replace existing home care packages, which provide services including in-home nursing care and support with everyday living, such as cleaning and gardening. Access to government support will also be subject to greater means testing, with full pensioners to pay 5 per cent of support costs, while self-funded retirees will pay up to half of the costs. The chief executive of Townsville-based disability support not-for-profit Selectability, Debra Burden, said the care industry was dealing with an uncertain environment ahead of the reforms coming into effect. She said regional parts of Queensland would feel the effects because there were fewer accessible alternatives. "The hard thing will be for the sector to transition from the previous model of care where they had more choice and control than the recipients to the new model," she said. "The concern we have is that the impact will be on the services that Blue Care typically provides across the regions where we deliver services, which is across most of regional Queensland. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the delay to enacting the reforms would ensure "all of the systems are in place to deliver a smooth transition to the new laws".
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Horizon Health leads Canada's first in-home cancer treatment trial
In a new cancer study led by Horizon Health oncologists, 15 to 20 New Brunswickers will receive in-home treatment for certain types of lung cancer. Dr. Mahmoud Abdelsalam says if the trial is successful, in-home treatment would benefit both patients and the health-care system.
Globe and Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Family Private Care Continues to Deliver Exceptional Home Care Services in Buckhead, GA
The company Ensures Seniors Live Comfortably at Home with Specialized Care Solutions Buckhead, GA - Family Private Care, a trusted provider of in-home care services, is proud to announce its continued commitment to delivering high-quality home care in Buckhead, GA. Under the leadership of Tony Plummer, the company remains dedicated to helping seniors live comfortably and independently in their own homes through personalized and compassionate care solutions. As the demand for reliable home care in Buckhead, GA, continues to grow, Family Private Care stands out by offering tailored services that meet the unique needs of each client. From assistance with daily activities to specialized care for seniors with chronic conditions, the company's team of trained professionals ensures that every individual receives the support they need to maintain their quality of life. 'Our mission has always been to provide seniors with the care and respect they deserve, allowing them to age gracefully in the comfort of their own homes,' said Tony Plummer, CEO and owner of Family Private Care. 'We understand that every family's situation is different, which is why we work closely with our clients to create customized care plans that address their specific needs.' Family Private Care's services include companionship, personal care, medication reminders, and more, all designed to promote independence and well-being. By focusing on building strong relationships with clients and their families, the company has become a trusted name in home care in Buckhead, GA. In addition to its core services, Family Private Care is committed to staying at the forefront of the home care industry. The company regularly invests in training and development programs for its caregivers, ensuring they are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to provide the highest standard of care. This dedication to excellence has earned Family Private Care a reputation as a leader in the community, with countless families relying on its services to support their loved ones. Furthermore, Family Private Care understands the importance of flexibility in home care. Whether families need part-time assistance, 24/7 care, or temporary respite services, the company offers a range of options to accommodate varying needs. This adaptability, combined with a compassionate approach, has made Family Private Care a go-to resource for families navigating the challenges of aging. For more information about Family Private Care and its home care in Buckhead, GA, please visit their website at About Family Private Care: Family Private Care is a leading provider of in-home care services, offering personalized solutions to seniors and their families. With a focus on compassion, professionalism, and quality care, the company has earned a reputation for excellence in Buckhead, GA, and beyond. Media Contact Company Name: Family Private Care LLC Contact Person: Tony Plummer Email: Send Email Phone: +17705253252 Address: 1905 Woodstock Rd STE 5200 City: Roswell State: GA Country: United States Website:
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Funding the Future of Care: How Donor Collaboratives Can Support The Care Movement
As the population of older Americans rapidly increases, so too does the demand for reliable and accessible in-home care. Meanwhile, home care workers and family caregivers experience physical, mental, and financial challenges associated with care, leading to workforce shortages and burnout. In response, a robust care movement has emerged over the past three decades, led by NGO's, grass roots organizations, public agencies, and more, working to build and strengthen care infrastructure. With federal funding for social services in flux, philanthropy plays a crucial role in supporting and advancing the efforts of the care movement. Philanthropists can deepen their commitment to care by forming or participating in donor collaboratives—an approach that helps maximize their collective impact across the continuum of care. The growing demand for caregivers in the United States places even greater strain on an already overburdened care system. Contributing factors including low wages, limited benefits, and unsafe working conditions have led to a nationwide shortage of direct care workers and rising employee turnover, further widening gaps in care. At the same time, family caregivers spend an average 26 hours a week providing unpaid care, and collectively forgo an estimated $522 billion in wages each year due to their caregiving responsibilities. Furthermore, caregivers and care workers are more likely to experience negative mental and physical health outcomes than non-caregivers. Direct care workers face some of the highest rates of occupational injury, based on data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Family caregivers disproportionately experience chronic health conditions and mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, and burnout, Guardian Life reports. These challenges don't just affect the caregivers themselves, they also impact the people they care for. For example, studies show that high caregiver burden, caused by stress and exhaustion, can contribute to lower quality of life and worse symptoms for care recipients with dementia or heart failure. These outcomes, while troubling, could serve as a catalyst for building a stronger coalition between care workers and care consumers. During the 2024 election cycle, care became a part of the national conversation for the first time in decades, due in part to the work of non-profit organizations and community leaders in the care movement. 'Decades of deep narrative and culture change, and long-term power and coalition building across race and geography, brought us to this moment,' shares Anna Wadia, Executive Director of the Care for All with Respect and Equity (CARE) Fund. 'While we know that policy advancements can be reversed, the care movement is stronger than ever.' To meet the growing needs of caregivers, care workers, and those who receive care, a coalition of major grant makers, including Ford Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Fondation CHANEL, and more, came together in 2021 to form the CARE Fund, with the goal of investing $50 million over five years to improve care infrastructure. 'The CARE Fund has brought diverse actors in philanthropy together to build the cohesion, capacity, and power of the care movement to win the care supports families need across the lifecycle,' Wadia explains. Today, the CARE Fund has raised more than 44 million from 17 partners. The CARE Fund provides a model for individual donors and foundations to maximize their impact and deepen their commitment to the care movement. Donor collaboratives allow funders to diversify their investments across the care spectrum. For example, through the CARE Fund, philanthropists can invest in strategies and solutions that they would not otherwise be able to support directly on their own. Many pooled grant-making funds invest in multi-stakeholder initiatives; a survey conducted by the Bridgespan group found that 63% of respondents support a variety of organizations and initiatives that share a common goal. Donor collaboratives are more likely to involve grantees in the grant-making process than independent foundations, Bridgespan reports. This allows collaboratives like the CARE Fund to bring funders and grantees together to assess needs and develop strategy. For example, Fondation CHANEL joined the CARE Fund because it wanted to learn from and grow with the care movement, while also broadening its scope of influence. "Pooling resources with other funders multiplies our impact," explains Adeline Azrack, Managing Director, Fondation CHANEL Americas. "It gives us the opportunity to learn about on-the-ground strategies, hear directly from grantees about their needs, and fund both state-based initiatives and emerging organizations that we couldn't reach alone." Pooled grantmaking funds are just one of many ways philanthropists can invest in care at this pivotal moment. As Wadia concludes, 'By deepening their commitment to both the care movement and solidarity across movements now, philanthropists can catalyze a transformation that will strengthen families and entire communities. This is an investment in the future—a future where care is recognized as the foundation of a vibrant economy.' To learn more about how philanthropy can support the care movement, visit The Well Beings Blog supports the critical health and wellbeing of all individuals, to raise awareness, reduce stigma and discrimination, and change the public discourse. The Well Beings campaign was launched in 2020 by WETA, the flagship PBS station in Washington, D.C., beginning with the Youth Mental Health Project, followed by the 2022 documentary series Ken Burns Presents Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, a film by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers (Now streaming on the PBS App). WETA is continuing its award-winning Well Beings campaign with the upcoming documentary film Caregiving, executive produced by Bradley Cooper and Lea Pictures, premiering in 2025 on PBS. For more information: #WellBeings #WellBeingsLive You are not alone. If you or someone you know is in crisis, whether they are considering suicide or not, please call, text, or chat 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor. To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1, visit to chat online, or text 838255.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Elderly douple died after Covid ‘taken into house by carers'
A Northern Ireland woman whose parents succumbed to Covid -19 within a month of each other believes care workers inadvertently brought the virus into their home. Testifying before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Hazel Gray shared her heartbreaking experience, stating the infection was spread by "people doing their jobs", caring for vulnerable individuals like her parents. The inquiry's seventh module is currently scrutinising the effectiveness of test, trace, and isolate protocols implemented during the pandemic. Ms Gray described the enduring trauma of being unable to be with her parents in their final moments, saying they simply "disappeared." Her testimony underscores the devastating personal toll of the pandemic and raises questions about the safety measures in place to protect vulnerable individuals receiving in-home care. Ms Gray's parents, George and Violet Little, from Co Fermanagh, died in December 2020 and January 2021. They were 80 and 78 years old. Ms Gray, a member of the Northern Ireland Covid Bereaved Families for Justice group, told the inquiry on Tuesday that people in the region had presumed that 'things were being done' to prevent the spread of Covid. She said: 'Only when it came to my own doorstep did I realise that what I presumed was not happening at all. 'People who were working with vulnerable people – carers coming to my mother – were actually not being tested, nor were other healthcare workers. 'To me, it seemed to be a total lack of common sense; this was nine months into the pandemic. 'These people were actually spreading a virus and nothing was being done to counteract that.' The inquiry heard that Ms Gray's parents lived in a rural area and depended on carers who went to their house four times a day to move Mrs Little, who used a wheelchair. Counsel to the inquiry Sophie Cartwright asked Ms Gray if she was confident Covid was taken into her parents' house by the carers. Ms Gray said when her father first tested positive for the virus, she took a test herself. She said: 'I immediately went and had a test and I was negative, so I knew that it wasn't me that had passed the virus to them. 'My mum, we got her a postal test. Hers came back positive as well and then mine was positive. 'I am fairly confident I didn't bring the virus to them and nobody else would have been in the house other than the carers.' She said she spoke to the carers' manager and asked when they had been tested. She told the inquiry: 'His answer was, it wasn't the hospital trust policy to actually test carers who were going into the homes of vulnerable people. 'That was the shocking realisation that this was what was happening in the country – carers were going into the homes of people who were not tested.' Ms Gray said she sent a text message to then-health minister Robin Swann about the situation and he responded that he would look into it. She told the inquiry that her father died first, in December 2020, while her mother was in hospital. She said: 'I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for my mother, knowing that my father had passed away and nobody was there with her to comfort her. 'They said on the day of my father's funeral she watched the clock.' Ms Gray also raised concerns about paramedics who attended to both her father and mother while wearing 'basic PPE '. She said: 'When I asked them did they get tested, they said no, who would do their jobs if they were going to be tested and come back positive? 'It was this attitude – 'If we don't get tested we won't know whether we are positive or not'. 'This virus was being spread by people who were doing their jobs and caring for people who were already sick. 'The process to me just did not make sense.' Ms Gray said she was not able to be with either of her parents when they died because of Covid restrictions. She said: 'If it had been an animal, a vet would encourage the animal's owner to be there with them to the very end. 'I, twice, didn't get that opportunity and so many people have had similar experiences. 'The trauma of not being there for your parents' last breaths will stay with me forever. 'My parents disappeared, I never saw them again.' Ms Gray added: 'My parents' lives were cut short. Their experience was horrendous – for me, for them, for the whole country. 'All those who were lost, their lives must not have meant nothing, they cannot have died in vain. 'We must have changes in this country that people never have to experience this kind of trauma over a virus again.'
