• The Productivity Commission

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08 August 2011Older Australians generally want to remain independent and in control of how and where they live; to stay connected and relevant to their families and communities; and be able to exercise some measure of choice over their care.

While changes to the aged care system over past decades have increased the range and quality of care and support available to older Australians, there are significant variations in the quality of services. However, fundamental reform is required to overcome the delays, discontinuities, constraints and shortages that currently exist, and to respond to future challenges. The challenges include:

• a significant increase in the number of older people
• an increasing incidence of age-related disability and disease, especially dementia
• rising expectations about the type and flexibility of care that is received
• community concerns about variability in the quality of care
• a relative decline in the number of informal carers
• a need for significantly more nurses and personal care workers with enhanced skills.

Aged care can be greatly improved. Government policies, programs and regulations, and the services offered by community groups and businesses, need to be redesigned around the wellbeing of older people and be delivered in ways that respect their dignity and support their independence. Services need to be affordable for older people and for society in general.