On the 7^th of August – Aged Care Employee Day (ACED) – we say #ThanksforCaring for the heartfelt concern, professionalism and passion that all aged care staff demonstrate as they safeguard and support older Australians

Our workers’ dedication is making a huge difference in older people’s lives. This is their daily passion because they truly care about older people, their families and friends.

ACED 2021 acknowledges the more than 360,000 passionate and professional individuals, who dedicate their working lives to caring for and supporting around 1.3 million older Australians.

We also honour the increasing numbers of aged care staff being vaccinated against COVID10 and thank them for the leadership they are showing to us all.  .

We are asking every family and community across Australia to pay tribute to aged care workers and volunteers and say #ThanksforCaring on Saturday 7 August. You can visit the website https://agedcareday.com.au/ to compliment aged care staff.

“This is an extraordinarily challenging time,” said Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck. “Can I send my gratitude to every single person who goes above and beyond in providing care to others, who do their best to care and support people who we love.

“Your care and commitment has been the backbone for the sector and the wider community, as we continue on a path to a stronger future.”

Leading Age Services Australia CEO Sean Rooney says our older Australians need to be in constantly safe hands and aged care staff are doing all they can to keep people in their care safe and well.

“It takes a special kind of passion and dedication to work in aged care, especially during the trying times in the past 18 months that we have seen the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mr Rooney.

“All the workers in aged care – they may be quiet achievers but in my eyes they are superheroes. They all deserve our thanks for their professionalism, passion and making a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of our valued older Australians.”

CEO Patricia Sparrow from Aged & Community Services Australia says the past year has been an extraordinarily challenging time for all Australians.

“Particularly for those committed and passionate people who care for our older Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic and do all they can to keep them safe,” she said.

“Aged care workers deserve our respect and our recognition. They are on the frontline of the pandemic and providing care for some of the most vulnerable in our community, every day of the year.

“Today, take the time to thank the care workers in your life and show them your support.”

Kasy Chambers from Anglicare says: “Aged Care Employee Day is an opportunity recognise everyone who works in our sector – cooks, cleaners, gardeners, drivers, nurses, carers, office workers.

“Everyone who works in aged care makes a valuable contribution to the lives of older people and their families.

“Today we recognise all of their hard work, and we say thanks for caring.”

Nicole Hornsby from Baptist Care Australia says: “Today we want to call attention to the deep respect we have for everyone that works in aged care and celebrate all Aged Care Employees across Australia.

“This day is for you. We want you to know that you are valued each and every day – we thank you for the extraordinary things you do that make a difference in the lives of others.

“We thank you for all the sacrifices you make to help older Australians and their families, particularly over the last 18 months which can only be described as the toughest of times. Thank you!”

Claerwen Little from UnitingCare says: “Caring for another human being is one of the most important things we can do. From all of us at UnitingCare Australia, thank you to our incredible aged care workers right across the country. Thank you for bringing joy and dignity to the lives of so many, not just today, but every day.”

Pat Garcia from Catholic Health Australia says: “Today is a day for celebrating the wonderful people who work in centres or out in the community and who each day approach every encounter as an opportunity for healing, companionship, compassion, comfort, and hope.”

Professor John McCallum, CEO of National Seniors Australia, says: “In our surveys we find that older Australians value the care they receive and think the world of their personal carers.

“Aged care workers deserve greater respect, better salaries and better support in developing their skills than they are currently receiving now.”

Craig Gear from the Older Persons Advocacy Network says: “Every day, aged care workers care for hundreds of thousands of older people across Australia, either in their own homes in the community or aged care homes.

“The relationships they develop are critical to the health and safety of older people, and in many cases, are treasured.

“Thank you to aged care workers for the work you do to ensure older people’s views are heard, their needs met, and their rights respected.”

On ACED 2021 – 7 August – Australians are being asked to say #ThanksforCaring, with posters, badges and scores of events organised across Australia.

ACED 2021 also features a national social media campaign with the hashtags #ThanksforCaring and #ACED2021 highlighting videos, stories and photographs to acknowledge the aged care workforce.

Go to the ACED 2021 website: www.agedcareday.com.au for resources and special links to send messages to individuals, aged care employees or teams of aged care staff, with support, stories, media releases and videos.