As you will understand it is difficult for me to share my frustrating experiences working in aged care...I have been conditioned to expect to be punished for speaking out...

Every time I tried to raise concerns about residents rights not being respected, things would be made more difficult for me. That being said, I believe that the best therapy is to take action! This is why I followed whistleblower policy even though I knew how organisations treated whistleblowers.
 
My current situation (still working in aged care for another organisation) is positive and rewarding. My previous employer is one of the largest providers of aged care services in (state). Despite them espousing a Christian ethic they treat residents, relatives and employees in a very unchristian manner. I could expand on "Catholic Social Justice" and the usual hypocricy of the Catholic Church, but it has all been said before. Their motto is "moving forward", I suggested that the best way to move forward is to make amends for the wrongs of the past. Again I had no response. Perhaps if this organisation was not self-insured it would be held more accountable.
 
I used to joke when I first started working in aged care that we needed to get it right for when we needed aged care, but there was a lot of truth in what I was saying. Having worked in the disability sector in the 1980's and 1990's when many much needed initiatives were introduced, I find it difficult to accept the current situation in aged care.
 
The organisation that I now work for delivers compassionate care (not perfect by any means), I fear they may miss out on funding because they are not as ruthless as other oganisations. To put it simply the food is good because they have not contracted out the catering service. The cleaning and laundry services have not been contracted out yet, so there is more consumer satisfaction.
 
I don't have any confidence in the Aged Care Complaints Scheme to investigate complaints effectively either.
 
I am happy to share my experiences with aged care as an "insider" but sometimes it feels like "horror stories". With the expansion of aged care services and the establishment of new facilities I believe a whole new set of problems will arise to add to the day to day delivery of care.  I feel positive about the future of aged care despite my experiences.