Care of elderly needs overhaul

Sydney
16 February 2003

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Care of elderly needs overhaul

Care of the elderly in the Australian community is neither "organised, comprehensive nor sufficient", says Francis Sullivan, chief executive officer of Catholic Health Australia.

In a report on community care service for older people, in association with World Day of the Sick, he said Australia needed "an aged care system, not a confused array of programs".

"It needs a new and robust funding system and real political leadership to bring this about," he said.

"There wouldn't be a Commonwealth, State or Territory Minister responsible for the care of the elderly who would believe that reform is not necessary.

"The pressing needs of the elderly must be given a high priority ... At the present time the care of the elderly in the community and support from them in their homes is far from organised, comprehensive or sufficient."

He said the money spent in hospitals and nursing homes on the care of old people who should be at home is irrational, as the quality of life for such people was much better at home.

"The state and federal governments must come to the realisation that there is dysfunction in the system," he said. "There are a myriad of programs but they lack a clear and robust framework. Negotiating assistance is a complex and often frustrating exercise.

"Families and carers are often left to muddle through and contend with multiple layers of bureaucracy and inappropriate waiting lists.

"Good intentions can only go so far. Care for the elderly is reliant on the hard work and dedication of families and carers. The silent majority struggle to fill the gaps that commonwealth and state aged care programs inevitably leave."