Caring for older Australians

This issues paper is part of an inquiry developing detailed options for restructuring Australia\u27s aged care system to ensure it can meet the challenges facing it in coming decades. Specifically, the Commission has been asked by the federal government to: •     systematically examine the social, clinical and institutional aspects of aged care in Australia, building on past reviews of the sector •     develop options for reforming the funding and regulatory arrangements across residential and community aged care (including the Home and Community Care program) •     address the interests of special needs groups, including people living in rural and remote locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and veterans •     systematically examine the future workforce requirements of the aged care sector, and develop options to ensure that the sector has access to a sufficient and appropriately trained workforce •     recommend a path for transitioning from the current funding and regulatory arrangements to a new system that ensures continuity of care and allows the sector time to adjust •     examine whether the regulation of retirement specific living options, such as retirement villages, should be aligned more closely with the rest of the aged care sector, and if so, how this should be achieved •     assess the medium and long-term fiscal implications of any change in aged care roles and responsibilities.   Image: Fairywren / Flick