Productivity Commission: aged-care reform call to match wishes
The Australian's Sean Parnell: Australians increasingly view residential aged care as an end-of-life option and regulatory reform is needed to help home-care providers and retirement villages adapt to the trend.
A Productivity Commission report out today finds red tape limiting the ability of retirement villages and other housing providers to meet changing consumer demands, complicating decisions for those “driven by ill health and frailty”.
The age of admission to residential aged care is increasing, currently 83 years on average, with higher care needs and average tenure of about two to three years. The commonwealth recognises the demand for more in-home care, but the commission believes change is needed in all living arrangements.