What hinders and what helps? Searching for solutions to mature aged unemployment and the residential aged care workforce crisis

Abstract

Objective: This paper provides an overview of a research project that investigated strategies to address the workforce crisis currently threatening the provision of health and residential care services to Australia's rapidly ageing population. Underpinning this project's development was the need to understand why, in the face of high levels of sustained mature age unemployment (and under‐employment) and the urgent need for staff in residential and community aged care, mature aged people do not consider, or are unable to undertake, further education and training to gain the necessary skills to work in this particular area. Methods: This descriptive and exploratory study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Informed by a critical review of the literature, data were collected from interviews with four participants (aged 40 years or older) as they undertook specific education and training in aged care services, and from a survey of 145 randomly selected mature aged unemployed (and under‐employed) persons. The survey and specific education and training program were located in South Australia. Results: Findings from this study suggest that, for the mature aged unemployed person, age represents the single most significant barrier to obtaining paid employment. Evidence also exists to suggest a positive relationship between ageing and a person's willingness to undertake formal education, and/or to consider the work of caring for older people as a reasonable career option. However, the extent to which other factors such as health, time spent in unemployment (or under‐employment), type of qualification, and the psychological impact of being unemployed might have had an effect remains unclear. Conclusion: This study challenges us to rethink how we value ageing, mature aged unemployment, mature aged education and aged care work. The findings have implications for the future of mature aged job seekers and the provision of adequate staffing for residential and community aged care services.