Exploring impacts of extreme heat on the aged care workforce in rural communities

In 2024, academics from Charles Sturt commenced research to better understand the impacts of climate change on a segment of our essential workforce. The team of Dr. Jodie Kleinschafer, Associate Professor Maree Bernoth, Associate Professor Elyce Green, Professor Andrew Hall, Professor Larissa Bamberry, Professor Julaine Allan in collaboration with aged care industry partners are examining the weather- related labour productivity impacts of climate change on the BaptistCare workforce, who deliver in-home care to older people. The research emerged from a collaborative symposium hosted by Charles Sturt’s Regional Work and Organisational Resilience group.

It aims to better understand the impact of extreme heat on the physical and mental health of aged care staff, how this affects home care delivery, and current approaches used to manage weather-related labour productivity. The goal is to develop a model for preparing for and responding to extreme heat that can be trialled and implemented across the sector.