Aged care changes long overdue

Last week it seems that one hot topic, at least, elicited agreement across the major political parties and media commentators. And the agreement was that the Productivity Commission’s report into aged care, Caring for Older Australians, was long overdue.

This report was commissioned by the Gillard Government as a way of measuring the impact of a rapidly ageing population on the aged care system. A draft report was handed down in January, and the final report was released on 8 August. It is more than timely. Current estimates show that an extra 82,000 beds will be needed by 2050 to service the 3.5 million Australians expected to require such services.

It is helpful at this stage however, to take a deep breath as it seems, from most media reporting, as though we are all rushing headlong into a nursing home, whether we like it or not. This is simply not the case. Currently just eight per cent of Australians aged 70 and over are in government-sponsored aged care. Most of us can look forward to longer and healthier lives than our parents, lived out in our own homes with required services delivered to us.
And this is the point of the report. The wide-ranging brief encouraged the commission to consider the quality of care, where it is delivered, the funding models, how choice can be increased, and how the aged care workforce can be increased to match higher needs.

In my opinion the Commission has done an excellent job in considering all of the above and making sensible recommendations which means aged care in this country will be both sustainable and affordable. But most importantly, it will encourage those of us who are able, to remain in the homes and neighbourhoods we love for as long as possible.

It is important to remember however, that the commission can only make recommendations which the government of the day must consider and then decide which to take forward into legislation. These must then be voted into law by both houses of parliament. It is a long process – as it should be. I was pained to see a very superficial article in the Melbourne Herald Sun, written by Robyn Riley (14 August), which says the government needs to “act now and stop this dithering’. Given that the report had only been released six days earlier, it is highly irresponsible to suggest that 19 pages of recommendations could and should be evaluated and brought into law in a matter of days. My hope is that the Federal Government, the Opposition, and all other stakeholders, including the old Australians, have time to read, digest, review and debate. Only then will we get the aged care system we all deserve.

Our editor, Debbie, has compiled a guide which simplifies this 1000-page report (including appendices) into a five-page PDF you can save, print or send to a friend.

If you still have questions on what this means for you, don’t hesitate to email us and we will endeavour to find the answers.