Aged Care is not a priority for the upcoming Federal Election; the cost of living, tax cuts, housing, and energy are all issues that will affect the May 3 result.

Should Aged Care have more of a focus? After all, it affects wait times in our local hospitals when there are not enough aged-care beds to move older people into after an emergency department visit. And, the situation will only get worse in the coming years as our population ages.

Ageing Australia is calling on all parties to ensure aged care remains a national priority ahead of the Federal Election, addressing the workforce crisis, supporting transition to the New Act, and improving access for older Australians.

“The number one priority for aged care providers is improving the lives of older Australians. Unfortunately, we face chronic workforce shortages and challenges attracting and retaining workers, on top of financial sustainability pressures,” Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said.

There is an estimated shortage of 4,043 registered in aged care alone. That figure is set to blow out to 17,550 by 2035. There is also currently an expected shortfall of up to 35,000 direct care workers.

“To address the workforce crisis, we’re calling for streamlined migration, strengthened education and training, and a boost to incentives for regional providers to attract the workers needed,” Mr Symondson said.

Ageing Australia is also calling for improved access to aged care, reduced wait times, strengthened affordability measures and support for innovative care models.

“We know that people are sometimes waiting over a year for the home care package they need. Many are also waiting for higher-value packages to support their increasing needs. With increasing demand, the official waitlist of 81,000 packages is set to blow out over the coming months, and we’ll need many, many more.”

“We need the right number of packages, at the right level, for the people who need them. Staying in your own home isn’t just a preference, it’s a fundamental part of maintaining their independence, dignity and connections to their own communities, close to family and friends.”

Transition to the new act is also a priority, with more time needed to implement such sweeping reforms.

“We all want these reforms to succeed, but the current timelines are so tight they border on the impossible. For the sake of older Australians, we need to get this right. Without more time, we risk confusion for older people and providers alike.”

“Entire computer systems will need to be upgraded or replaced at massive expense to providers, yet we still don’t have the information or funds to get on with the job.”

“We have the chance to build an aged care sector that all Australians can be proud of, but we need a measured approach to reforms of such magnitude and that means more time to get them right.”

“Failure is not an option. The last thing we want to see is an older person receiving a lower level of care on July 1, just because we rushed reforms. The runway is getting shorter by the day.”