Older people and carers miss out on services

Isolated older people with chronic and complex care needs, and carers with high care burden, are less likely to access community care services, with many not aware they even exist, new research has found.

The report by the Brotherhood of St Laurence in Victoria, and the Australian Institute for Primary Care at La Trobe University, found that the community care system works best for frail older people who have assistance from family members or a case manager to link them with services.

But for older people who are isolated, depressed or have a carer who is overburdened, the situation is less than favourable.

Sandra Hills, general manager of aged and community care at the Brotherhood, says the research, which involved interviews with older people and carers, highlights the need for the community care system to better meet the needs of our most vulnerable and isolated older people.

“If governments look at identifying and supporting older people at risk of not accessing community care services then they will be better able to constrain long-term costs on Australia’s health and aged care systems by keeping people in their homes for longer,” she said.