"While recent funding reforms [to Australia's aged care system] have made some progress, key issues remain unresolved", says Chris Mamarelis, CEO of Not For Profit provider Whiddon.
Aged care co-contributions, in the form they are being introduced, will not have the intended impact, he told The Weekly SOURCE for our 'political wishlist' series, in which ahead of the federal election we ask aged care CEOs what they would like to see Government deliver.
Chris' view is backed up by StewartBrown modelling, which shows that even with co-contributions, it's not until FY29 that the sector will be earning sufficient returns to underpin sector sustainability.
Chris adds that the Support at Home reforms may "reduce the uptake of essential services, driving consumers away from the support they need to live independently, such as domestic assistance, due to the increased consumer co-contributions.
"The sector requires long-term funding strategies that extend beyond political cycles to foster investment, innovation, and the delivery of quality services," he said.
Regional solutions
With 19 aged care homes across New South Wales and Southern Queensland, including several in regional areas, Chris says a "clear, sustainable strategy" for aged care in regional Australia is "urgently needed".
"Over one-third of Australians aged 65 and older live in rural and remote areas, yet temporary fixes persist," he said.
"The government must prioritise regional infrastructure funding, meaningful incentives to encourage regional development, and regional workforce strategies that include tax benefits and streamlined pathways for overseas nurses."
Chris would also like to see the division between state and federal jurisdictions "dismantled", saying it "hinders holistic care, creates significant inefficiencies, and stifles innovation". Doing so would allow the building of an "integrated, community-focused health ecosystem that supports the entire care continuum for our elders and communities", he said.
Government-based innovation
With the users of aged are services today having higher and more complex care needs, the sector needs to embrace "Government supported" cutting-edge solutions that "go beyond provider-led initiatives", Chris said.
In addition, he would like to see the aged care sector embracing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, addressing the sector’s 7% contribution to Australia’s total carbon emissions.
"The crisis management that has underpinned the sector for the past five years has seen this critical area sadly neglected," he said.
Read our previous articles in this series:
“Whining for more money won’t cut it”: IRT CEO Patrick Reid’s political wishlist
Anne McCormack CEO of mecwacare wants to see greater recognition of palliative care in aged care
