A new report has revealed that Australia faces a shortage of 280,000 aged-care places by 2050, under the current system. The report was carried out by Access Economics and commissioned by Alzheimer's Australia. One of the driving factors behind the predicted shortage is the growing numbers of people living with dementia and current estimates are that there will be 1 million Australians diagnosed with dementia by 2050. The report breaks the figures down on a state-by-state basis with NSW predicted to experience an acute shortage of over 95,000 beds, followed by Victoria with 72,000 and Queensland with a deficit of over 50,000.
The three aged care bombshells from Senate Estimates
Last week’s Senate Estimates hearing – held just three weeks before sweeping reforms roll out – gave politicians the chance to ask Government heavyweights the questions they’re getting from constituents and to interrogate the once-in-a-generation changes.