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Aged Care reform must reflect consumer aspirations and industry sustainability
13 February 2012
One of Australia’s largest community-based not-for-profit aged-care operators has welcomed the release of a plan set to increase transparency, reduce red tape and provide appropriate funding for aged care services.
IRT Chief Executive, Nieves Murray, said the Australians Deserve to Age Well Blueprint for Reform’s call for an independent Aged Care Commission in order to guarantee quality of services, as well as a future industry pricing policy.
“We have seen a number of reports show the current funding model for aged care is inadequate and stifling growth across the sector. This inhibits the ability of providers to plan for natural growth and develop additional services to meet consumer needs,” Ms Murray said.
“The establishment of the Australian Aged Care Commission would allow government to accept independent advice on what is a crucial industry, responding to the needs of vulnerable seniors. It would allow providers and the community to have input into the modernisation of essential community services.
“The added suggestion of an independent pricing model would also give operators in regional and rural settings the chance to recover the costs they face. This has to be done through legislative change, but the opportunity for independent analysis should be embraced.
“Currently, providers in the aged care sector face multiple accreditation structures and it can take a lot of resources for independent providers to be informed across all requirements. A Commission, with the ability to simplify processes and quality standards will give operators in smaller communities clarity in what their obligations are and allow them to provide more frontline services within budget.
“The further recommendations of a one-stop shop for aged-care information and assessment for consumers are also vital. Daily we see people who, for whatever reasons, suddenly require immediate assistance in their day to day life. Rather than running all over town, there needs to be simplified and a responsive access for seniors and their families.
“If we look at the Shoalhaven LGA we are going to see major increases in the proportion of seniors in the community over the next 10 years. By 2021 the number of residents over 70 will increase by 43 per cent. We are seeing a similar situation in the Eurobodalla with population forecasts showing more than 40 per cent of the community will be over 55 years of age. As an industry we need to be prepared to respond to the demands of the community and widespread reform is the only way we can achieve it.
“There is a real chance here for Australians to set up a system that will deliver what consumers require now, as well as what the broader community needs in the future – and the Australians Deserve to Age Well Blueprint for Reform is a very good place to start,” Ms Murray said.
For more information on the Australians Deserve to Age Well Campaign, please go to http://agewellcampaign.com.au/
For further information please contact:
Seth Tenkate
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 4221 6653 or 0419 789 841
Note to Editors: Please refer to IRT as “IRT” not “Illawarra Retirement Trust” – thank you
About IRT: IRT is one of Australia’s largest community based seniors lifestyle and care providers. It has been providing seniors lifestyle and care solutions for over 40 years. IRT manages communities in more than 30 locations across the Illawarra, South Coast of NSW, Sydney and Canberra and provides solutions to over 6000 customers.
