Abstract
The study analyses the gaps in the provision of aged care services using administrative data, and finds a shortfall of 2,000+ places in residential aged care in remote Aged Care Planning Regions (ACPRs). Because the older population is increasing, it is estimated that an additional 3,390 residential care places and around 3,000 home care packages will be needed by 2032 to bring aged care provision to levels provided in the urban areas of Australia. As well as a shortage of aged care facilities, Australia faces severe workforce shortfalls. Using recently-released Census data, the study found that regional and remote ACPRs need considerably more doctors, nurses, specialists and associated care workers than are currently available. This analysis examined the nature of care needs both in residential and in-home settings, and availability of informal care, and concluded there is relatively little difference between metro, regional and remote regions in terms of individual need. More informal care is provided in regional areas than in metro. In remote areas, however, there are fewer people providing unpaid assistance (in relative terms). The study also examined the existing aged-care-related workforce and workforce hours provided in each subregion. The study found that in a majority of Aged Care Planning Regions, the population is under-served relative to metro/urban areas, although there is some variability within individual planning regions. The relativities against metro/urban workforce provision were tested using different population measures, including the population 65+, total population, and population weighted by health care needs for the 65+ populations.
Presenters
Irene Darmadi BlackberryChair and Director, Care Economy Research Institute, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia Nicholas Morris
Adjunct Professor, Care Economy Research Institute, Victoria, Australia Sue Jaffer
Senior Researcher, Department of Law, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2024 Special Focus—Diversity Over Time: Changes in Individual, Organizational, and Place Contexts
KEYWORDS
Care, Aged, Workforce, Long term care
