should ensure that in the case of each individual smoker the risk of harm to the resident, having regard to the level of dementia, the loss of manual dexterity of the resident and other matters relevant to the ability of the resident to smoke safely, and thus the need for and level of supervision, is properly assessed. Such an assessment should take place on an ongoing basis having regard to the possibility of deterioration in the level of cognitive ability and dexterity of the individual over time. All staff responsible for care and their supervisor should be made aware of such an assessment; That in any circumstance in which the safety of the smoking activity of a resident in an aged care facility becomes problematic, that procedures be put in place within the facility to ensure that any decision made or practice that is maintained within the facility regarding that habit of smoking, is made known to, resident’s discussed with and approved by the representatives and/or family; resident’s That in formulating or altering any care plan, the involvement of the resident’s resident him or herself and/or their respective representatives and/or family members, should be secured; That aged care facilities create procedures whereby concerns about the wellbeing of residents, as raised by visiting family members, are properly documented at the time and that the concerned family member is given the opportunity to read and acknowledge what is in fact documented; That within aged care facilities carers, including agency staff, be required to attend handovers of shifts of staff, or participate in other briefings, in order to familiarise themselves with any adverse issues concerning the current wellbeing of a resident in their care. That within aged care facilities it be a mandatory practice for all carers to acknowledge in writing the fact that they have read changes to the care plan of a resident, especially changes that may be relevant to the safety of a resident. 5.9. I direct that a copy of these findings and recommendations be furnished to the relevant Commonwealth and State aged care authorities for dissemination to all aged care facilities. Key Words: Aged Care; Smoking; Risk
should ensure that in the case of each individual smoker the risk of harm to the resident, having regard to the level of dementia, the loss of manual dexterity of the resident and other matters relevant to the ability of the resident to smoke safely, and thus the need for and level of supervision, is properly assessed. Such an assessment should take place on an ongoing basis having regard to the possibility of deterioration in the level of cognitive ability and dexterity of the individual over time. All staff responsible for care and their supervisor should be made aware of such an assessment; That in any circumstance in which the safety of the smoking activity of a resident in an aged care facility becomes problematic, that procedures be put in place within the facility to ensure that any decision made or practice that is maintained within the facility regarding that resident’s habit of smoking, is made known to, discussed with and approved by the resident’s representatives and/or family; That in formulating or altering any resident’s care plan, the involvement of the resident him or herself and/or their respective representatives and/or family members, should be secured; That aged care facilities create procedures whereby concerns about the wellbeing of residents, as raised by visiting family members, are properly documented at the time and that the concerned family member is given the opportunity to read and acknowledge what is in fact documented; That within aged care facilities carers, including agency staff, be required to attend handovers of shifts of staff, or participate in other briefings, in order to familiarise themselves with any adverse issues concerning the current wellbeing of a resident in their care. That within aged care facilities it be a mandatory practice for all carers to acknowledge in writing the fact that they have read changes to the care plan of a resident, especially changes that may be relevant to the safety of a resident. 5.9. I direct that a copy of these findings and recommendations be furnished to the relevant Commonwealth and State aged care authorities for dissemination to all aged care facilities. Key Words: Aged Care; Smoking; Risk