Surveys show improvement

Each year the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) complete independent Residents’ Experience Surveys in each aged care community in Australia. These results contribute to the community’s star rating, which are then published on the My Aged Care website. They are additionally reviewed to identify trends across the sector.

Over the last two years, the independent survey team contracted by the department have talked to almost 75,000 older people across the country.

In the 2023 survey, 85 per cent of residents said they would recommend their aged care home to someone they know. Residents said that safety, respect and kindness were the most positive parts of their experience. Autonomy (the extent to which they can live independently) showed the most improvement. In contrast, while 70 per cent of residents said they were satisfied with the food in their community, it’s clear that a number of residents want to see improvements in the food quality, service, quantity and variety. You can read the full report on the department’s website.

Please note that to improve food in aged care, the Commission has set up a new Food, Nutrition and Dining Advisory Support Unit. In addition to providing expert advice to callers to the Commission’s Food, Nutrition and Dining Hotline (1800 844 044), the Unit has supported visits by Commission assessors to 720 aged care communities across the country to assess food, nutrition and dining for residents. The 2024 survey is underway and will be finished in October this year.