Causal links associated with missed residential aged care.

AIMS: To estimate and model the types and frequencies of care that nurses and carers self-identify as being missed in the Australian residential aged care sector. BACKGROUND: The study advances missed care research to explore how the care of elderly Australians is compromised. METHODS: A multi-variate approach was used to apply the consensus scores of 2,467 staff to missed opportunities for resident health promotion and restorative care. RESULTS: Eight latent care variables have direct predictor effects on missed Australian residential aged care, all of which are largely under the control of residential care management, with the exception of the physical locality of the aged care settings. CONCLUSION: Missed care, associated with maximizing the residents' life potential, relieving their distress and maintaining their current health can be quantified and predicted. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Aged care policies that maximize adequate staffing numbers with appropriate levels of skill are paramount to minimizing missed Australian residential care.