Uniting Friends of Ageing member from Victoria, Eleanor, has shared some of her actions and plans for ageing and aged care to be a top priority during the federal election.

Eleanor writes:

“I have taken up some of the suggestions from previous (UFA) sessions: contacted the local MP, contacted the local Labor candidate, not sure of others yet, contacted the Shadow Minister and sent a hand written letter to Minister Hunt.

No response from the minister yet.  I have submitted the report from the first meeting with two additional paragraphs from our second meeting for our local church paper.

I think that will be available in April. I have been in touch with our social justice group and aged care is one of the things on their list, of course they have several others but I will not let them forget aged care.

If there is a meeting of local candidates I have a question ready for them, “Would you encourage your daughter, or perhaps even your son, to consider a career in aged care?  There is plenty of work in that area.” 

I believe they would be horrified to think that their child would be involved in such poorly paid employment with no prospects of a career.  Why do they think other people’s children should do this demanding work with little recompense and no community standing?

I think the ‘consumer’s view’ is easily lost in all the complex issues to be addressed.  I am happy to keep drawing attention to it.  A well paid well trained workforce must improve the consumer experience.”

Visit our campaign page to see how you can take action, like Eleanor.