Greens aged care policy offers action and vision
The Campaign for Care of Older Australians (CCOA) welcomes the Greens aged care policy as a strategic approach to caring for older Australians now and in the future.
“Senator Siewert has outlined reforms which recognise the need for both immediate action to address current pressures and longer term reform to improve consumer choice and the sustainability of aged care services,” CCOA said.
“The proposed reforms start to come to grips with an over regulated and under-funded system which is selling older Australians short.
“The Greens recognise that early intervention for the increasing numbers of people with dementia, and the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles for older people are essential components of a streamlined approach to community care in the future.
“Plugging funding gaps impacting on the delivery of services are critical as are measures to lift wages for aged care workers including nurses.
“Real investment, which must include increased access to capital, will also mean there are the people, places and services to prevent inappropriate hospitalisation of older people unable to access the care they need.
“We applaud the Greens proposal to install a Minister for Older Australians as a senior member of government supported by an office to oversee properly integrated services and systems.
“More choice and improved access to quality services, including enhanced community care, funded by public and private contributions where appropriate, must be the new face of Australia’s aged care system.
“The Greens commitment to independent benchmarking of the real cost of care and the development of a system based on care entitlement funding for a range of services not limited by availability, is particularly welcome and we urge a similar undertaking from all parties.”
