What does the future hold for Australia’s aged care system?

Have you ever wondered what Australia will look like in the next 40 -50 years?
 

Aside from significant advances in technology and the environmental impacts of climate change one thing is increasingly evident- we are living longer.

The number of Australians over the age of 100 is projected to be a staggering 40,000 in 2055, up from roughly 5000 today.

The Government’s 2015 Intergenerational report has further highlighted the impact of the ever growing silver tsunami. With Australians living longer than ever before, Australia’s economy and aged care system will be dramatically impacted without significant preparation.

An ageing population

 Image from The Treasury

So what are we doing in the short term to prepare for this crisis? 

The federal Government has announced it will spend more than $16 billion on ageing and aged care services in 2015-16.

With discussion around Hockey’s 2015 budget still abound, it is an interesting time to take stock and reflect on what immediate changes the aged care sector can expect. 

6 key budget announcements:

1. Home Care Packages will now be allocated to individuals rather than through providers.

2. From February 2017, more than 80,000 people receiving home care packages each year will be able to choose who provides their care.

3. From July 2018 the Government intends to establish a single care at home programme, providing improved services to more than 850,000 older people each year.

4. The independent Aged Care Commissioner will handle aged care complaints.

5. By 2021 there will be 2,000 new short-term restorative care places available to help older people to stay independent and living in their homes longer.

6. An existing fund will be redesigned into a Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund to support older people living with dementia or who have diverse needs.

The Government’s Aged Care Agenda is increasingly moving away from a welfare based system to one that places older people at the centre of their care.

Australian aged care is transitioning into a consumer driver model that enables older people to make their own choices about the care services they receive. Aged care is as a result becoming more competitive and market driven.

The positives? Such a system will inevitably push care providers to offer the most relevant, high-quality and innovative services possible.

What are your impressions of the future direction of our aged care system?

 

 

From a young age Luana wanted to become a teacher. She would line up her teddies in a row and teach them for hours on end. However, she eventually grew tired of their nonchalance and has ended up leading a team of producers instead- which she finds far more fulfilling and stimulating!  

Luana comes from an experienced production and management background. She has produced and topic generated events across Asia and Australia.

Luana enjoys learning about emerging trends and drivers for change and loves the notion of the 'butterfly effect'- that change can start small but grow immeasurably through a ripple effect.