Survey puts aged care ahead of jobs, schools, environment
The Gillard Government faces a fresh challenge on aged care, with the release of a survey suggesting more Australians are concerned about aged care than they are about employment, education and the environment.
Mark Metherell has written in The Age newspaper that a ”grand plan” launched by the Campaign for Care of Older Australians on 30 June, seeks to promote a new vision for the care of older Australians, using as frontmen two community personalities, social commentator and comedian, John Safran, and his radio partner, Father Bob Maguire.
The campaign, backed by an alliance representing 90% of aged care organisations, providing care for about 1 million people – comes amid widespread criticism in the aged care sector about the Labor government’s decision to postpone significant reforms until after the election.
The online poll of 1,000 people found that men and women of all ages rate aged care ahead of employment, education and the environment as an area of greatest concern – with 91% agreeing aged care should be an entitlement, 96% supporting increased government funding and 95% agreeing that those who can’t afford to pay should receive additional assistance.
The chairman of the campaign, Greg Mundy, said respondents had supported easier access to in-home services and better links between hospitals and aged-care services.
“Forty per cent of poll respondents said they feared losing their independence as they aged,” Mr Mundy said.
The ‘grand plan’ call is for all political parties to commit to the promotion of independence and wellness.
The Campaign for Care of Older Australians said the system needs to be set straight now, to meet future demands.
