Ageing and aged care among AMA key health issues
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has released its election manifesto, which contains specific demands in relation to ageing and aged care.
It outlines the growing demand for aged care services due to the rising numbers of older Australians, who are also living longer.
The AMA says that future generations of older people are likely to have more complex health needs and demand a higher quality and level of service than is currently available.
The AMA expects there will be an increasing user preference for care in the community where possible (and for as long as possible), and an increasing need to provide quality dementia care in all settings.
People will expect more choice and better value for money. Older Australians must have access to a range of quality aged care and health services (acute, sub-acute, home care, residential and community care) to meet their changing needs, and must be able to access them in the most appropriate setting for their circumstances.
A shortage of adequately skilled staff, disincentives for GPs to provides services in both the residential and community aged care settings, and difficulty accessing medical specialists continue to affect the quality of care provided to older people.
Transport options that improve access to health services for older Australians are essential. The present lack of transport options to take older people to heath care services is a significant barrier to good health.
The AMA makes policy and funding recommendations on all these points.
http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-76RAVH/$file/060907_-Ageing
