With the number of Baby Boomers set to outstrip the workforce that will be available in the coming years, the only solution must be prevention – and aged care and village operators must play a key role in driving this strategy.
The 2025 LEADERS SUMMIT closed in Sydney yesterday with a clear message: Australia is already struggling to meet the growing demand for care and support and this strain will only worsen – unless the sector acts now.
Many speakers – including DCM Group CEO Chris Baynes – outlined the massive increase in the over-80 population who will begin hitting the system from 2026, just 12 months from now.
As pointed out by Australian Unity Group CEO Rohan Mead (pictured) recently in the AFR, the sheer number of older people will overwhelm the hospital system and State health budgets without action.
Australia is already over-committed on healthcare staff as it is. Chris pointed out that 15.6% of Australians are currently employed in the healthcare sector – excluding the NDIS.
Hospital in the Home will help to relieve some of the pressure.
But the focus needs to be on reaching people before they require hospital-level treatment – and much of this responsibility will fall on aged care and retirement living operators.
Wellness and reablement core to Support at Home
The Aged Care Royal Commission recommended that aged care providers implement wellness and reablement programs to help older people maintain or improve their physical, mental, and social functioning, rather than simply focusing on managing their health conditions.
The new Support at Home manual has confirmed that wellness and reablement will be core to the new Program starting 1 July this year.
“Providers should support participants to maximise their wellbeing, independence, autonomy and capacity through person-centred wellness and reablement approaches,” it states.
So, the regulator will be expecting operators to be on the front foot.
‘Wellness’ is also good business.
In South Australia, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC), ECH and ACH Group have been championing gymnasium-based village and community outreach programs for some years.
During the Royal Commission, SCC – led by CEO David Moran (pictured above) – told the Royal Commission that their ‘Better for Life’ strategy had seen positive results including a huge reduction in resident transfers to hospital and improved quality of life.
These better health outcomes have also earned a big tick from the regulator – and their customers, who have recommended the program to others, expanding SCC’s footprint.
With demand for aged care and hospital beds already at a premium, all operators should be looking to the SA example.
