AGEING BABY BOOMERS DRIVE REFORM OF AGED CARE

The population of older people is booming. The number of older people needing aged care services is expected to rise from one million to 3.5 million by 2050. Pressure has been mounting on aged care services and funding for many years. Repeated reviews and reports have identified the need for reform.

This week saw the release of the long-awaited report of the Productivity Commission, "Caring for Older Australians", that is likely to reshape the Aged Care industry over the next 10 years. Government has affirmed their commitment to system reform, and will embark upon community consultations before determining the final shape of the industry restructure.

So what might older Australians expect from the aged care model proposed by the Productivity Commission compared to the current system?

KinCare supports a number of the major recommendations, which would deliver significant benefits to older people. These include:

• An entitlement to receive quality service when they need it, without the impediment of long waiting lists
• Increased choice of service provider based on the organisation (church, non-profit, community or private providers); their service models; and the service experience offered
• Enhanced ability to choose where they live, with the unlinking of funding for accommodation and care services
• Incentives for services to deliver more responsive customer service in both community and residential care settings based on ease of switching between service providers

Furthermore, for the broader community, the recommendations would offer greater confidence that the industry will have capacity to meet the rising need for aged care into the future.

To achieve these benefits, it is important that provisions to protect the vulnerable balance the requirement for some consumers to pay more for care. Under the model:

• Subsidies for aged care will be comprehensively means tested for the first time and people of greater means will pay more
• The family home will be included in means testing
• A government scheme will be created to enable older people to access the equity in their home to pay for services, without needing to sell the family home
• The cost of services, but not of accommodation, will be capped to protect vulnerable individuals

We commend the overall direction of the proposed reforms, while cautioning that implementation will need to be managed carefully and resourced in what is a complex delivery environment.

About KinCare:

KinCare is a family operated group of companies incorporating KinCare Community Services, KinCare Health Services, Stanhope Healthcare Services, Private Care, National College Australia and TeleResponse Australia.

KinCare specialises in providing support services to older people and people with a disability in their own homes. Established in 1992, KinCare has grown rapidly and is now Australia?s largest family operated in home care and nursing service provider.

KinCare is a trusted provider of Australian Government and State and Territory Government funded services and packages with a strong track record in improving client?s quality of life.

KinCare works closely in partnership with Area Health Networks, Hospital staff, Medical teams, Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres, other service providers, specialist cultural groups and other key stakeholder groups.

KinCare Services

KinCare offers a variety of services including help with housework, assisting with daily personal care needs, providing social support and nursing services through Government subsidised services and packages, and private services.

Packages of care can be tailored to individuals who have low level or complex and high support needs. Services may be as short as 30 minutes or fulltime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; allowing older people and people with a disability to remain at home.

KinCare?s service models are underpinned by a ?Quality of Life? philosophy and a holistic approach to care, which addresses the things that matter most to each client.

KinCare also provides staffing solutions to many of Australia's leading church, charitable and community organisations.

Contact:

Jason Howie, CEO
Therese Adami, General Manager
KinCare
1300 733 510
http://www.kincare.com.au