Development and evaluation of a consumer’s guide to residential aged care

This three-phase study aimed to develop and evaluate an information guide for potential consumers of residential aged care. Phase 1 consisted of a series of six focus groups with 41 seniors to determine the information needs of potential consumers. Phase 2 comprised a 2 round Delphi survey in which a panel of 10 industry stakeholders prioritised the themes identified by the focus groups. Phase 3 consisted of a pilot test and evaluation of the prototype information booklet by 19 seniors and their families. A feature of the guide is that its contents were identified by seniors themselves as information they wanted to know about residential care. Aged care service provision The provision of services to the nation’s aged represents a significant financial impost on the Australian taxpayer. The Federal Government’s total expenditure on aged and community care in 2001-2002 is estimated to be $5.4 billion, of which $4.2 billion relates to residential care subsidies (DH&A, 2002). Other major elements are Community Aged Care Packages ($248 million) and the joint Commonwealth/State Home and Community Care program, to which the Commonwealth contributes $615.5 million and the State/Territories contribute an additional $396.7 million. The Federal Government pays for residential care at eight different levels of resident dependency. The average national cost per utilised place in 2000-2001 was $28,194. These costs apply only t