A friend of mine, aged 96, died this week. Death is always sad but my friend remained living in her own home until the very day she died and so her friends and family are able to take great comfort in that.  I have heard it said that there are more deaths in nursing homes at Christmas than at other times of the year. It would be interesting to know if this is, in fact, true.

The staff at the nursing home I visit regularly are trying to provide some sense of festive cheer. The decorations are up! But in spite of everyone’s best efforts, Christmas is a time when frail older people often experience a great sense of loss. I note that the Christmas carol sessions so common in homes at this time of year often leave residents quiet and subdued. The reminders of happy times past are hard for some to bear.

This Christmas will be especially hard for the 40 residents of Camellia Court Nursing Home in Mt Martha, Victoria. Their home will close at the end of January and so families will be spending the festive season looking for alternative accommodation for their loved ones.

The firm, Deloitte, was appointed receiver of this home in June this year. Partner Simon Wallace-Smith said Deloitte had tried to keep Camellia Court operating, but was now forced to cease trading. Camellia Court home was owned by Shamrock Nursing Home Pty Ltd and their other two Victorian homes are in receivership too.  And only last week, Berwick Village Aged Care announced that it would be closing. 

2009 has seen too many aged-care businesses fail and too many frail people forced to move to other facilities at great cost to their well-being.  This raises the question of how communities care for their vulnerable older people. Should frail people really be left to the vagaries of market forces?

In a rare victory for community residential aged care the people of Hunter Valley have saved the Wallsend Aged Care facility from privatisation. It was one of 11 ear-marked for privatisation in New South Wales. The plan caused outrage in the Hunter Valley, with 10,000 people signing a petition against it. The decision to privatise has now been reversed.

Back to Christmas, it’s a tough time for those older people who have outlived their friends and family and who feel alone – whether they remain at home or live in residential care. While we can’t take away the loss, grief and sadness that many feel, we should at least ensure that all vulnerable people get the care and attention they deserve.