The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety released its second Background Paper as part of the Royal Commission’s work.

The paper, Medium- and long-term pressures on the system: the changing demographics of aged care, puts Australia’s ageing population under the microscope. It explores complex issues associated with the country’s changing demographic profile, including changes in patterns of disease and dependency, the rising incidence of dementia, changing expectations and the changing cultural profile of the Australian community. It also explores current arrangements, future pressures and a greater need for preventative and restorative health.

Within its conclusions the paper says:

“The total supply of care will need to increase, with large absolute rises being required in the level of provision in each part of the aged care spectrum. At the same time, the structure of supply will need to shift, with larger increases in community care on the one hand and high-level care on the other.”

The paper also points to likely cost pressures resulting from changes in the cost of different types of care and a decrease in the availability of informal care due to low birth rates in recent decades resulting in fewer adult children on hand to provide such care

Read more:

Medium- and long-term pressures on the system: the changing demographics and dynamics of aged care (.pdf)