THE importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of older people to keep them out of hospital beds and living independently longer is the focus of COTA's Australia's National Policy Forum in Canberra today.
Leading health experts at the forum: "Reframing Primary Healthcare for Older Australians" will call on governments to change how they approach and deliver health services to older Australians, in response to a World Health Organization report highlighting the need to shift the focus away from emergency departments to preventative and coordinated health care programs.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Ian Yates said the WHO World Report on Ageing and Health urged governments and health care providers to break down the stereotype that poor health is an inevitable part of "being old" and recognise that healthcare is a human right whatever your age or health status.
"We need to challenge and let go of the current view that health care for older people is about hospital beds and an inevitable transfer to aged care. The reality is that there is great diversity among older people when it comes to illness, health and wellbeing, and there is a huge opportunity to match increasing longevity with better health outcomes," Mr Yates said.
"The WHO World Report on Ageing and Health urged governments and health care providers to break down the stereotype that poor health is an inevitable part of 'being old'." Ian Yates
"We need to focus on preventative health programs and caring for people properly before they need access to emergency departments. Helping people to remain in good health and to properly manage chronic conditions such as arthritis or diabetes will mean they may be able to stay in work longer, remain living independently and continue to contribute to their families and communities.
"If we get it right, investment in good, coordinated primary health care is an investment in keeping people actively contributing to our social and economic growth, as well as out of more expensive acute care. The cost of good primary care will be recouped several times over. Continuing on the current path will result in spiraling costs to government and the community."
