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$533m Aimed at Australia’s Ageing Population
The Southern Courier
May 11, 2010
Australia
The Federal government will invest $533 million into aged care over five years, as it takes on full responsibility for the sector.
In preparing for Australia’s ageing population, the funding from this year’s budget will go into improving access to high-quality aged care facilities, helping more people receive superior care.
A further $120 million has also been put aside over the next three years to create and expand multi-purpose facilities, which provide acute-care; residential aged care; community health; home and community care; and other health services for the elderly.
There will be $300 million over four years of zero real interest rate loans to help create 2500 more aged care places in areas of high need. The money will be divided in half to be put into loans this financial year and next financial year.
Primary healthcare for the aged will get $99 million over five years to improve healthcare access. This funding will be used to target gaps in services by offering financial incentives for health workers including GPs and nurses to provide bulk-billed services to residents of aged care facilities.
There will be $276.4 million put into caring for long stay older patients in public hospitals, to help health services provide better care for these older patients who cannot be discharged after receiving acute medical attention until their care arrangements are finalised.
Budget documents warned of big predicted increases in the number of people aged 65 and older between now and 2050, with the number of people eligible for the aged pension increasing by 150 per cent.
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