ACSA and the Retirement Living Council both respond with ageing initiatives the government

Both ACSA and the Retirement Living Council were ready when the Productivity Commission reported on the ageing population last week.
ACSA had planned and staged a meeting last Monday in Melbourne of approximately 50 ACSA members to shape policy recommendations to present to government. The 2012 ACSA Policy Forum had identified three key areas:
• financial viability and sustainability of the sector
• rural and remote aged services
• delivery home-care services
ACSA CEO, Adj Prof John Kelly AM, says it’s all about the sustainability of the aged care sector - workforce, funding flexibility and capital raising. ACSA also joined with LASA and Catholic Health Australia to say the government should use the industry knowledge to develop a pragmatic action plan with clear deliverables and appropriate funding.
Mary Wood, Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council, receive media coverage for her message to government that unlocking the wealth in the home to spend on age appropriate housing and services had significant merit.
She is meeting this week with staff in the Department of Social Security responsible for ageing, promoting the importance of the importance of the July 2014 program which allows eligible senior Australians to sell their house and put up to $200,000 in a special account without it affecting their pension. She is also promoting policy innovation in downsizing.