http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/12/2272086.htm
Dementia forcing older Aussies in care for longer: study
The report shows 70 per cent of permanent aged care residents needed a high level of care.
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A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report has found older people are spending longer in aged care facilities and need a higher level of attention, partly because so many of them have dementia.
The report shows 70 per cent of permanent aged care residents needed high-level care last financial year, compared with 58 per cent a decade ago.
Institute spokeswoman Ann Puet says more residents have dementia which means many require care for longer.
“On average people stay for 146 weeks now, whereas 10 years [ago], it was 131 weeks,” she said.
She says there has also been a rise in the number of people aged 90 and over who are being admitted to residential care.
“We are seeing an increasing proportion within the residential aged care sector of very old people, simply because of female longevity,” she said.
“That population its still dominated by women, although as men live longer we may see some change in that.”
Council on the Ageing spokesman Paul Flint says the findings reflect Australia’s ageing population.
“It’s the 80-plus age groups that are increasing at the fastest rate at the moment,” he said.
The report also reveals more high care places were allocated to meet increasing demand.
Catholic Health Australia chief executive officer Martin Laverty says the Government needs to step in.
“I had as recently as last week a senior Labor backbencher acknowledge to me that they were not aware of the pressure on aged care providers in their own electorate,” he said.
“A very genuine question was asked – what can we do as a government to help? Well it can assist with the pressure, relieving the pressure on capital works.”
The Aged Care Industry Council represents 95 per cent of the church, charitable and privately-owned and operated nursing homes in the country.
Spokesman Rod Young says the Government will have to face up to the extra costs associated with an ageing population.
“We’ve actually just started a new funding scheme which has changed the parameters and changed the funding methodology, he said.
“The Government claims that that will fix many of our problems. We don’t believe it will, but only the next couple of years is going to tell.”
Those directly involved in the aged care sector are not under any illusions as to the impact of the rapidly growing number of aged in our communities. Due to medical advances and improved attitudes towards personal lifestyle our elderly are living longer. There will be an increased need for residential care places. It is likely there will be an increase in the number of areas being classified as high need.
While we should not assume a growing population of elderly translates into a exponential increase in the need for residental care places, the evidence does suggest that when elderly eventually seek residential care, they will likely be aged between 75 years and 85 years and will likely require a degree of high care. Increasing numbers will display symptoms of dementia.
One of the many challenges will be the uneven distribution of aged populations. Areas will experience different rates of growth of elderly, some areas are well established to service the growth, others are not. An increasing shortage of people entering the workplace will impact on aged care providers and community package providers who will be hampered in their ability to offer competitive remuneration. The eligible workforce is not always situated where the need is greatest.
If the Government and the aged care sector persist in doing things as they always have, it is likely the sector will be unable to satisfy the growing need. The emerging environment for aged care is outside any of our previous experiences. This calls for ‘out of the box’ planning and thinking. The solution to the emerging aged care needs in any country will only be found through innovation policy and funding processes. This will require leadership by Government at all levels and leadership by the sector in advocating for change.
I am not entirely familiar with the various levels of senior living services in Australia but here in the US, we are seeing major advancements in dementia programming that fosters successful aging in assisted living versus nursing home settings at reduced costs to the consumer and provider over the long run.
Undoubetdly, an older population is moving into residential, assisted living and continuing care retirement communities because of the choice for home care based services and the fact that people are living better, longer due to education and advancements in medicine. This means that the mission and operation of most facilities has had to adapt, as well.
So, while communities need to be prepared to meet the needs of seniors with dementia by having the right proportion of number of facilities, it is essential to have the right programs in place, as well, as part of the strategy.
I am familiar with a Life Enrichment approach that has proven to be highly successful in over 47 states in the US and has been the subject of grants to study its impact. Statistically, studies are showing a significant reduction in the number of falls (65%-85%) as well as the use of psychotropic medications. There are tremendous psychosocial benefits also associated with this approach.
If you would like more information,please visit
http://www.gemini-consulting.org
Respectfully,
Thom Wright