Challenging future for older Australians
AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath was among a panel of leaders who came together at a Business News event, The Future of Aged Care, to discuss how the sector should move forward amid significant changes impacting the nation.
As reported by Business News, the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program from 1 November, alongside a transition to a new Commonwealth Home Support Program from July 2027, has added turbulence to the care industry.
WA Health Director General Dr Shirley Bowen said the nation’s rapidly ageing population has reached “uncharted territory” for all involved.
“Currently, one in six Australians are aged over 65 and this will go to one in four in 2066; 25% of the population will be over 65,” she said.
WA Health has estimated more than 11,000 bed days per month are occupied by people with dementia, the leading cause of disease burden in people over the age of 65.
A general consensus among panelists was a desire for a united vision – not only among aged-care providers – but disability, health, early childhood, veteran services, and housing providers.
Dr Hoath said this communication among stakeholders, which could be improved with the use of technology, would help identify key pressure areas in care.
“… We know when people step into care … even if that’s staying at home, that’s an exposure point [where] 70% of people present with depression at that timeline,” he said.
“If we know those things, we can then start to build capacity.
“Over time, [we can] be a little bit more proactive rather than reactionary….”
Dr Hoath has observed that as individuals age, they receive less specialised care, leading to increases in preventable conditions.
“The de-prescribing of medication is another one in that inflection model moving into care,” he said.
“… People accumulate medications or their doses aren’t adjusted [leading to] the decline of renal function … and it provides risk factors for things like falls amongst many other things.
“That opportunity to intervene when we know there is a step change in risk, I think, is pretty important.”
The panels were moderated by Lavan Perth care and living law partner Amber Crosthwaite, who stressed the need for certainty in revenue, capital and delivery.
“WA has the worst access to aged care in the country,” she said.
“We have some of the lowest ratios in the country for Home Care Packages, [Commonwealth Home Support Programs] and residential aged care.
“Over 9,000 Western Australians are waiting for home care, for essential services at the moment ….
“We’re 2,000 beds short right now in residential aged care.”
And building new infrastructure in WA faces further barriers as construction costs top the nation.
- New Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program introduced from 1 November.
- One in six Australians are aged over 65, going to one in four in 2066.
- More than 11,000 bed days per month are occupied by people with dementia.
- 70% of people present with depression when stepping into care.
- More than 9,000 Western Australians are waiting for home care.