Workforce Crisis in Residential Aged Care: Insights from Rural, Older Workers. Issue 1 (21st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodgkin, Suzanne; Warburton, Jeni; Savy, Pauline; Moore, Melissa
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of public administration. Volume 76:Issue 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 93
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2016-06-21
• Subjects: gender -- public sector -- residential aged care -- rural -- workforce; Public administration -- Australia -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 351.9405
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.12204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0313-6647

Abstract

Abstract : In Australia, workforce shortages in residential aged care present a significant challenge for the aged care industry. The growing demand for workers in aged care, combined with the shrinking supply of younger workers entering the field, highlights a future workforce crisis. The current shortfalls are set to worsen with the retirement of a generation of women who have provided the backbone of the workforce. Although targeted retention of this group may alleviate this issue, few studies have explored the retirement decisions of this cohort. This paper reports on a qualitative study of this cohort of Victorian public sector residential aged care staff. Although current government rhetoric promotes intrinsic rewards (altruism, moral fulfilment) over extrinsic rewards (excessive workload, pay and conditions), a combination of these factors was associated with job satisfaction. It would seem timely to revisit some of these concerns to ensure an adequate and sufficiently skilled workforce. Abstract : Current shortfalls in residential aged care are set to worsen with the retirement of a generation of women who have provided the backbone of the workforce. In this context, this qualitative study examines workers‧ experience of both intrinsic and extrinsic reward to better understand how this workforce can be retained.