The Federal Government’s announcement that it will invest $115 million into areas with the worst shortages of residential aged care beds is a welcome step.
“Anything that provides older Australians with the care and support they need is a good thing, and increasing the supply of aged care beds is an important part of that,” COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Sparrow said.
“But more must be done to fix the growing pressures across Australia’s health and aged care systems.
“Estimates suggest Australia needs around 10,000 additional residential aged care beds each year to keep up with demand.”
The funding announced today by the Health and Aged Care Ministers will target aged care “hotspots” including the Illawarra, the Hunter, Adelaide and Perth, where shortages of residential aged care beds are placing significant strain on hospitals and families.
Ms Sparrow said increasing residential care capacity will help relieve some immediate pressure but would not solve the broader problem.
“Additional aged care beds will help some older Australians access the aged care they need more quickly, but the underlying issue is how Australia’s health and care systems and State/Territory and Federal Governments work together to ensure their older citizens are supported.
“This isn’t just a residential aged care issue. Ensuring our health and aged care systems work together to support older Australians must be a priority. It has been good to see State/Territory Governments, along with the Federal Government, investing to supporting the older people who need aged care services.
“But every day in hospitals across the country, older Australians remain in beds they’re medically ready to leave, not because they need hospital care, but because the supports they need to go home, enter rehabilitation, access a memory support unit, or move into residential care simply aren’t available when they need them.
“The problems are clear – the solutions require a multi-pronged approach.
“We need governments working together. The Commonwealth, states and territories all have responsibility here – and the solution has to be shared too.”
Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 or Alana Mew, 0419 929 722