The background paper puts Australia’s ageing population under the microscope. It explores complex issues associated with the country’s changing demographic profile, including changes in patterns of disease and dependency, the rising incidence of dementia, changing expectations and the changing cultural profile of the Australian community. It also explores current arrangements, future pressures and a greater need for preventative and restorative health.
Within its conclusions the paper says:
“The total supply of care will need to increase, with large absolute rises being required in the level of provision in each part of the aged care spectrum. At the same time, the structure of supply will need to shift, with larger increases in community care on the one hand and high-level care on the other.”
The paper also points to likely cost pressures resulting from changes in the cost of different types of care and a decrease in the availability of informal care due to low birth rates in recent decades resulting in fewer adult children on hand to provide such care. A strong increase in demand for community care, that is, care in the home outside of a residential aged care facility, is also noted and with fewer children to look after aged parents the cost of community care would likely increase.
The paper also examines the changing composition of the aged care workforce and the need for the sector to act more flexibly so that it can ensure care is focused on the individual and with it, provide a broader range of care options.
Download background Paper (off-site)- Topics:
- Aged care
- Author:
- Dr David Cullen
- Source:
- Royal Commission into Aged Care quality and Safety
- Date published:
- Wed 1st May, 2019