Recommendations for prevention of injury – related deaths in residential aged care services

Improving the quality of care for older people living in (RACS) in Australia requires a better understanding of how, why, where and when residents die. This information contributes to reducing the risk of injury deaths in RACS by developing evidence-based information essential to prevention strategies and the allocation of adequate financial and human resources. Substantive changes are required to improve aged care in Australia. A major aspect of this should be to address the barriers contributing to failure to respect older persons’ autonomy, rights, choices and freedom.

This report is the culmination of an in-depth analysis of injury-related deaths of residents living in accredited Australian RACS. The seven topics of focus comprised: choking; medication; physical restraint; resident-to-resident aggression (RRA); respite; suicide; and unexplained absence.

Please click here to download the report