As with the entire care sector, research and development (R&D) in the aged care sector is essential to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of services and address the evolving needs of care recipients. The benefits of investing in aged care R&D are varied but they all have a potentially profound impact on outcomes and the overall performance of the aged care system.

R&D in the aged care sector leads to the development of innovative treatments, therapies and practices. By conducting research, the sector can find new ways to diagnose, treat, prevent and manage diseases. Similarly, innovations can be made to improve wellbeing by providing new understandings of the broader lifestyle services on offer through sector. Innovative breakthroughs can save lives and improve quality of life.

This report makes recommendations to support R&D in the aged care sector going forward:

• Establishing a coordination organisation for aged care R&D within government.
• Developing a joint statement to provide a clear and transparent overview of the shared research and development objectives between the government, care recipients and the aged care sector.
• Increasing government funding to reflect the relational nature of care services and support R&D across different organisational types and locations.