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An increasing focus in aged care policy is supporting older people to age at home. However, there is little recognition of the health and independence of older private renters living in a space they do not own or control. This paper draws on in-depth interviews and assessments undertaken in the homes of 27 older tenants in the Brisbane environs aiming to understand how renting privately influenced their ability to meet their basic needs. An analysis of the findings highlights the disadvantage experienced by many older private renters. Most older private renters were unable to meet their basic needs given unaffordable rent whilst reliant on the aged pension. Further, with limited access to community aged care including home modifications, the health and independence of older private renters was found to be at risk. IMPLICATIONS Community aged care is difficult for older private renters to utilise in Australia, with unaffordable services and tenancy law limiting access to community aged care services including home modifications. It is vital social workers advocate for the community aged care needs of older private renters in practice and policy settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Drawing from a larger study that identified the supports and services that facilitate wellness among older people from rural communities, this study examined the specific contribution made by information and communication technology ( ICT). Methods Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 60 older adults from six Australian rural areas. A preliminary thematic analysis was conducted, followed by a higher-order inductive analysis. Results Information and communication technology use was discussed in terms of individual enrichment, and in terms of enabling connections between the individual and their social networks, community and wider service environments. Conclusion Information and communication technologies may facilitate wellness for rural older people by compensating for geographical and social isolation. In the changing world of health and aged care service delivery, ICTs will be more important than ever for rural older people in building their capacity to access the services, socialisation and support that they need, regardless of location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the importance of involving families in care provision in residential care facilities is recognised, how to achieve an inclusive care space that balances the needs of families, residents, staff and the sector's regulatory requirements remains problematic for social work and the aged care sector. In this paper, a spatial perspective is used to examine the role of family carers in residential care facilities. Information obtained from focus groups with families, naturalistic interviews with staff and families, and observations of mealtimes in one case study site is analysed thematically to demonstrate how the physical, social and symbolic meanings of space interact to produce or impede family care-giving. The findings provide important guidelines for social work in this setting suggesting practice at micro, mezzo and macro levels. These include the acknowledgement of families in care-giving, genuine partnerships between staff and families, and family-inclusive policies within facilities. In addition, this paper highlights how the social work profession and the residential care sector more generally can strengthen their person-centred focus, engage with families and lessen the marginalisation of families in care-giving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The Eden model of care is part of discourse associated with innovation in aged care. There is, however, limited rigorous research to identify its essential claims. This paper examines the implementation of the Eden model in one integrated health service in rural Australia. Methods: Data are derived from a small qualitative study that explored the views of staff. Results: Findings highlight that while the discourse of the Eden model is accessible to all staff within aged care and is linked to person-centred care, there is tension with this practice of aged care within the Australian context. Conclusion: It is appropriate to ask if this form of care is innovative; what constitutes innovation and the importance of accounting for wider contextual factors. There is a need to build on this exploratory study with dialogue and research of not only the Eden model, but innovation in aged care within Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]