Roll on silver tsunami so we can finally fix our ailing aged care system

As you may have heard, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has released the long-awaited Aged Care Taskforce's final report with 23 recommendations aimed at making the system more "equitable and sustainable".

It also provides a blueprint for future funding reforms.

It confirms that the federal government will not introduce a new tax or levy to fund aged care or change means testing of the family home. Good news.

The government is now considering the recommendations and will respond "in due course". Groan.

How long will that take? Recommendations are supposed to be included in the new Aged Care Act slated to take effect from July 1 - just four months away.

The government missed the deadline in December and again in January. It received the report in December.

This is a tad embarrassing.

Retirement Living Council executive director Daniel Gannon said the number of Australians aged over 75 will increase by 70 per cent between now and 2040.

"This 'silver tsunami' will have far-reaching implications for the nation's socio-economic outlook, including increased demand for healthcare, social services and aged care services," he said.

He said the council supports the ambition to create a sustainable, fair and innovative system.

"The current aged care system is failing to meet current demand yet alone the forecast exponential increase in demand we know is coming," Mr Gannon said.

"This means it's no longer possible to talk about the future of aged care without considering the important health and housing value proposition of privately funded retirement communities."

Catholic Health Australia urged the government to swiftly implement the recommendations.

"With most aged care providers running at a loss, these sensible and responsible reforms are urgently needed so they can continue to invest and provide quality care for all Australians - whether they be in a city, regional town or remote community," said its chief executive Jason Kara.

"Right now user contributions do not meet the cost of provision and research has shown people are willing to pay more for their aged care services."

But wait, there's more comment.

The Aged and Community Care Providers Association boss Tom Symondson summed it up nicely.

"Aged care in Australia cannot continue to muddle along with Band-aid solutions while the system crumbles. We need a sector that's set up to improve the lives of older Australians now and into the future. They deserve better, and the recommendations of the Taskforce will help deliver that."

Uniting NSW.ACT's chief executive Tracey Burton said the recommendations go a long way towards much needed and overdue reform of the funding model aged care services which have historically been underfunded.

"Finding solutions for sustainably funding the aged care system that all senior Australians deserve really is the unfinished business of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, Quality and Safety," she said.

Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe was also onboard.

"There are more than 421,000 people living with dementia in Australia. With this high prevalence, funding arrangements must ensure that the system can deliver quality dementia care regardless of where the care is received - both at home and in residential aged care settings."