Time to make a difference
With a new state government now in power, many people are interested in their policies and strategies to support older people.
Outcomes that assist individuals to maintain active and healthy lifestyles not only benefit the individual and their carers, but also the wider community.
Although aged care services generally fall under federal government policy, there are critical state-based aged care responsibilities that impact directly on the quality of life outcomes for older individuals.
The 104,000 Australians waiting for an aged care package at the level they have been assessed as eligible for, is a federal issue. However, at a state level, we hope that Premier Marshall and his cabinet will advocate to resolve this dire need in our community.
To avoid unnecessary hospitalisation, greater advancement and investment in programs managed between non-government services and state health is needed. Where hospitalisation is unavoidable, it is beneficial to be able to leave hospital as soon as possible, with specific and appropriate support systems in place to enable a return home.
I also urge the new government to progress additional regional and rural support and expansion of palliative care services.
Revamping service models for older individuals with severe dementia and/or mental health needs is an important, state government-managed service, whether for those living in their own homes or in residential aged care.
The workforce in human service areas, such as aged care, remains a major consideration in this state, and nationally, as the population ages. We must ensure the public discourse of issues is balanced to ensure the value of working in aged care is not diminished.
Linked to this is the importance of quality tertiary education from the university and vocational sectors. Nurses provide key expertise and leadership in aged care. Both federal and state governments must ensure that there are pathways for graduate nurses in the non-government sector, particularly with a significant number of nurses soon reaching retirement.
Another area I believe is causing increasing stress for older individuals on limited incomes is oral health, and their capacity to access dental treatment on a fixed budget. Oral health is an important contributor to an individual’s overall nutrition and wellbeing.
Finally, we are increasingly learning of the issues that older members of the community are facing with respect to affordable housing. A significant emerging need is quality, affordable housing.
With the State Liberals in power for the first time in 16 years, I urge them to address these important issues. Building on existing strategies, and those that have been successful in the past, is a good start.