With the number of older Australians expected to triple by 2050, the time to act is now, say aged care providers at the 20th Annual Tri-State Conference currently being held in Albury, NSW.
“In its current form, the aged care industry cannot cope with the predicted peak of older Australians,” said Tri-State Conference spokesperson and CEO of Aged & Community Care Victoria, Gerard Mansour.
“Just one example of this includes information released by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing which says in the next 14 years the industry needs an investment of $17 billion for the construction of buildings to house our older Australians alone.”
Productivity Commissioner Sue Macri will on Tuesday (1 March 2011) lead conference delegates through an overview of the Commission’s initial inquiry into aged care. Delegates will also have the unique opportunity for the first time to speak directly with the Commission and have their voices heard on the future of care of older Australians.
“The industry is on uncertain and unsustainable footings. As a cornerstone to the future sustainability of any system, those Australians who can afford to make a financial contribution to their frail years must do so, and Government must provide an appropriate safety net for those who cannot afford to do so,” said Mr Mansour.
“Similarly, our older Australians should have the choice of aged care they want, when and where they need it. If we don’t have a sustainable industry, older Australians can’t have the choice of the services they need.
“Never before has aged care been so important on the national stage. It is vital Government addresses the fundamental need for aged care reform and we look forward to tomorrow’s presentation from the Productivity Commission who will recommend to Government in coming months how this can best be achieved.
“The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into aged care presents Government with the opportunity to make a difference for our frail Australians. To not act on the Commission’s recommendations would be dire for the industry and the aged.
“The industry wants a definitive investment in long term reform to ensure the future care of older Australians.”
The Tri-State Conference also hosted Australia’s longest serving judge, the Hon. Michael Kirby, yesterday (27 February 2011), speaking out on aged care and calling for the voices of older Australians to be heard.
More than 350 aged care professionals have come together from Victoria, NSW and South Australia at the 20th Annual Tri-State Conference on aged care, to discuss the issues critical to the long term stability of the aged care industry, focusing on the people that are core to the industry including staff at the coalface, consumers, families, volunteers and the local community.
