I've worked with the best and I've worked with the worst. The comparison is just 100 per cent different.

I've come across people that have suicided in aged care because of depression and it's a big, big thing.

I've seen an elderly gentleman be moved from his room in a low care area because the facility wanted that room and he was moved to high care dementia. He used to ask us "Am I in the madhouse, doll? Am I in the madhouse, love?" He was a lovely gentleman. He was cognitive. We all used to have conversations with him. Within about 10 weeks, he had curled up from depression and died.

He didn't have family to stand up for him.

I saw the food that was served... just junk food really. Bread, maybe some butter, little saveloys, fish fingers, chippies and things like that. These people are at risk of catching infections if they don't have a decent diet.

My wage was like $25 an hour. I think my young granddaughter was making more than that at Safeway working over the weekend. Aged care wages are very minimal and it doesn't really depend on your training.