Investment boost set to improve quality of care for older Australians in aged care

Better quality and person-centered aged care will become a reality for more Australians after the Federal Government committed an extra $13 million dollars to research and training in the sector.

The funding will help Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) better understand how people age, what healthy ageing looks like and advise government and providers on best practice in aged care.

Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells said the investment will transform aged care from an institutional to a more patient-centric model.

“I am determined to progress aged care away from institution and towards innovation,” she said.

“Innovation drives efficiency and empowers the sector to deliver policies that are responsive to the evolving needs of older people.

“This continuation of funding for ARIIA will enable it to empower our aged care sector with the skills and capability required to implement evidence-based practice that supports the delivery of safe, efficient and quality care for older people.”

ARIIA Chief Executive Officer Rueben Jacob welcomed the funding boost, claiming it will help the Australian aged care sector evolve to meet demand.

“ARIIA welcomes the continued support from the federal government to improve aged care workforce capability and the quality of care offered to older Australians. With this support, ARIIA will build upon the progress and knowledge gained over the past three years, collaborating closely with key stakeholders to maintain the momentum of change,” Jacob said.

“Encouraging innovation and supporting its implementation across the aged care and home care sectors is crucial if we are to deliver the high-quality, person-centred experience that older Australians want in the 21st century.

“Over the next two years we plan to broaden our local and international partnerships and implement scalable, evidence-based solutions based on best practice examples from around the world. We anticipate this will ultimately lead to greater sustainability for ARIIA through ongoing additional commercial work and philanthropic support which will be reinvested to support our aged care sector.”

This investment comes after the Federal Government and the Coalition recently agreed to fund a $5.6 billion aged care reform package, part of which will aim to help Australians live independently at home with assistance before entering aged care.

The Support at Home program will offer essential services, including clinical care such as nursing and assistance with everyday tasks such as cleaning, showering, and dressing. Additionally, a new lifetime contribution cap of $130,000 will be introduced for non-clinical care costs.

The government will cover all clinical care expenses, while individuals will pay for non-clinical services, with fees adjusted based on income. For those in their final three months of life, the program offers up to $25,000 in support, allowing them to remain at home rather than in a hospital.

The reform package also ensures that those already in aged care facilities will not be disadvantaged, adhering to a “no-worse-off” principle that will ensure residents won’t make a greater contribution to their care. New laws will protect the rights of aged care residents, backed by a regulator with investigative powers. Providers will also have a duty to uphold a statement of rights for older Australians, with enhanced quality standards implemented across the sector.

The long-awaited reforms are expected to put “the ‘care’ back into aged care” according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“Older Australians built this country, shaped our economy, did the hard yards. They embody the strength and the spirit of our nation,” he said.

“Our government is working to ensure that the aged care system that supports them is stronger now and sustainable into the future.

“Reforms like this do not happen every day. They are once-in-a-generation, and my Government is proud to deliver them, as we said we would.”

-with AAP.