A social insurance model would use compulsory contributions from worker salaries to cover the cost of aged care services. But it’s not a silver bullet to fix our aged-care funding crisis.
One proposal to fund the rising costs of aged care is a Medicare-style levy. However, this seemingly neat solution isn’t the answer to our aged care funding problems. Here’s why.
A study of 85 policies at all levels of government shows the focus in Australia is on residential care homes. Most older people are not in care, but their need for age-friendly cities is overlooked.
We measured financial literacy among 589 informal carers that substantially helped an older person make a decision about paying for residential aged care. Less than half were financially literate.
The royal commission into aged care has opened a priceless window for reform. A Grattan Institute report says this requires more funding, local accountability, and a louder voice for older Australians.
If Australia created more age-friendly neighbourhoods — which really are more liveable for everyone — then we wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on underfunded, substandard aged-care homes.
Cost-cutting, funding that doesn’t reward good food, and residents not having a voice contribute to poor quality nutrition in our aged care homes. That can be devastating. But there is a better way.
Four Corners this week revealed understaffing and poor staff training in aged care. These issues have also been found in previous reviews into aged care.
Millions of older Australians live in houses that don’t safely meet their needs, but they’re not ready for a nursing home. Lack of suitable housing and the moving costs leave them with nowhere to go.
Nursing home providers looking to cut costs are bypassing registered nurses and employing less-skilled personal care attendants (PCAs) who aren’t trained for the job.
Admitting a loved one to a nursing home is a difficult decision and is usually only arrived at once the person’s care needs cannot be met by the family and community-based services.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne