Labor’s updated Aged Care Act passed the Senate last week after receiving bipartisan support. It will now go back to the House Of Representatives this week for final approval. This means it will come into effect on 1 July 2025. The act was updated in response to the recommendations of the 2018 Royal Commission Into…
As we age, maintaining a healthy diet can become increasingly challenging. However, the repercussions of neglecting proper nutrition can be severe. It’s estimated that a staggering 68% of individuals in aged care facilities are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. So what is malnutrition and how can it be addressed? What is malnutrition? Malnutrition…
It’s commonly understood that Australia has an aging population. We also know that the country is made up of people from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. More than a third of Australians over 65 were born overseas. Therefore, as the population ages, the demand for culturally and linguistically appropriate care continues to grow. So…
For many Australians, aging can be a difficult process that brings with it many challenges. A new study has revealed that the prospect of moving into aged care is something that makes many older Australians highly anxious. Four out of five Australians over 65 believe they aren’t prepared for the transition into aged care. More…
When deciding on the right aged care facility, it’s important to compare facilities against each other. What is the food like? Do they offer quality care? Aged care star ratings, first introduced in 2022, offer the opportunity to compare aged care facilities. They were introduced following a recommendation by the Aged Care Quality & Safety…
Aged care advocates are growing increasingly concerned about the hidden fees that many aged care residents are forced to pay. Of particular concern to experts is “additional services charges”. These can be quite high, and in many cases, they are not optional. Many aged care facilities include these fees as a condition of entry, and…
As our loved ones age, we all expect them to receive the highest level of care available. When standards are not met, it is important the issue is addressed. Concerningly, however, complaints about aged care facilities and the services they provide are on the rise. The latest report of the Aged Care Quality & Safety…
Life is all about choice. How do we spend our free time, who do we spend it with, and what do we have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? They are choices most of us often take for granted. However, it’s quite common for people to lose their autonomy as they age, especially those who have…
For many, the ageing process can be challenging and lonely. This is reflected in high rates of mental health issues, such as depression, among older Australians. Currently, around half of all aged care residents have symptoms of depression. This is four times the rate of the rest of the community. Six in ten people living…
Like many other industries, technology is changing the face of the aged care industry, providing opportunities but also risks. One big change has been the implementation of robots to help care for Australia’s ageing population. While robots are viewed as a potential remedy for the widening gap between the level of care needed and the…