Advocates propose 10 principles to reform aged care system

It comes at a time when the aged care system is under intense scrutiny and pressure as failures are exposed from the COVID-19 pandemic and through the aged care royal commission.

The alliance which includes Carers Australia, COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia, National Seniors Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network is calling for an aged care system where all older Australians are treated with dignity and respect and get the support they choose, when and where they need it.

"It's time to overhaul a system that puts the needs of providers and bureaucracy above the human needs of every older Australian," said Cota Australia chief executive Ian Yates. "Structurally, culturally and legislatively we have the opportunity to rebuild our aged care system so that it places the needs and preferences of consumers at its very centre.

"Older Australians must have both choice and control over the supports they receive - whether that's at home, in specialist housing, or in a residential aged care setting. Above all, the system must ensure every Australian enjoys the highest quality of life as we age."

The 10 shared principles include a better Aged Care Act designed to uphold human rights and ensure consumer choice and control with stronger protections for consumers and better accountability of aged care providers including tiered enforcement measures and penalties.

The principles also include greater transparency regarding aged care staffing, complaints, compliance and financial outcomes and easy to understand indicators to help with consumer choice.

The alliance wants to see a trained, registered and qualified workforce across all care settings, with the right number of staff to ensure quality support and care; and proper recognition and support for the role of unpaid family/friend carers who help people to stay at home including dedicated flexible carer support services designed to preserve their health and wellbeing.

The alliance says there is also the need for a strongly resourced regulator that takes "robust action" to ensure consumer protections, and fosters public confidence in quality aged care through "vigorously investigating, enforcing and prosecuting breaches of standards utilising a wide range of enforcement tools and penalties"; a better funding model which grows with the population and ensures sufficient taxpayer funding, balanced with consumer contributions where they can afford to pay; inclusive culturally safe and sensitive core business practices and better integration of other health and wellbeing services into aged care including disability, general practice, palliative care, pharmacy, primary, allied, community, oral and mental health systems.

"Everyone will benefit from an improved aged care system. As our population ages, we need a system that allows older people to contribute and belong. Older people and their carers deserve better," said Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) chief executive Craig Gear.