Long wait times for assessments and home care, poor communication and a lack of support for older people to make care decisions remain the top challenges in aged care, according to a new report. Source: Australian Ageing Agenda.
These recurring issues show that systemic barriers remain entrenched – despite the reforms underway – and continue to limit older people’s rights, the peak body for aged care consumers says.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network’s fifth National Aged Care Advocacy Program Presenting Issues Report (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025) was released on Tuesday, the same day Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae announced the progress to date on the rollout of new home care packages (6665 as of Monday).
The report should play a pivotal role in informing policymaking and reform in the aged care sector, OPAN chief executive officer Craig Gear said.
“This is a stark reminder of how much work remains to be done to ensure some of the most vulnerable in the community are afforded adequate rights and protections,” Mr Gear said.
The 96-page report shows network members provided 52,206 instances of advocacy and information support in 2024-25. That’s up 18 per cent since 2023-24 and much more than the 3.28 per cent increase in the aged care population in the same period.
The top two issue categories this past year were service delivery and accessing aged care – which is the same as in 2023-24 but the proportion of advocacy cases relating to accessing aged care increased by 23 per cent over that period.
“It is deeply concerning that the same issues keep surfacing year after year. Older people tell us they are still waiting too long for care, not getting clear information, and being excluded from decisions that affect their lives,” Mr Gear said.
“The new Aged Care Act on 1 November is an important new chapter and an opportune time to reflect on how the Government and sector can work collaboratively to improve the quality of life for older Australians,” he said.
FULL STORY
Wait times and choice remain key issues (By Natasha Egan, Australian Ageing Agenda)
