The executive of the Retirement Living Council (RLC) and 27 member CEOs are descending on the nation's capital city for a series of talks with politicians tomorrow (Wednesday, 27 August).
"Leaders from Australia’s retirement living sector are meeting with MPs, ministers, shadow ministers, and senior officials in Canberra to discuss the future of ageing in Australia. With the over-75 population set to almost double by 2040, there’s growing urgency to prepare our housing, care and support systems," said Executive Director Daniel Gannon yesterday.
"Discussions will focus on boosting access to affordable retirement living and improving home care delivery, while educating key stakeholders about the value proposition for both consumers and government."
With an estimated 100,000 seniors to be waiting for the level of home care they have been assessed as needing when the new Support at Home program starts; Inspector-General of Aged Care, Natalie Siegel-Brown, stating her office has been told seniors are dying waiting for a Home Care Package; and occupancy at record highs in aged care and retirement living, the RLC is seeking policy reform.
In a submission, Daniel advised the Economic Reform Roundtable – held in Canberra last week – that three key changes were required:
- The way the Age Pension treats people’s assets is unfair and, frankly, wrong.
- Rent assistance is lagging so far behind surges in cost of living and housing.
- Thousands of older Australians are stuck waiting too long for basic care at home.
"Australia needs a more flexible, integrated approach to ageing – one that supports choice, promotes innovation and ensures older Australians can age well, where and how they choose," Daniel said.
The RLC party have organised a tour of Parliament House and will take senior bureaucrats to visit LDK Seniors' Living's new retirement village Amberfield, which is due to open its Stage 2 in October.
"We’ll showcase how retirement living is lifting standards and easing pressure on government systems when we visit Amberfield," Daniel added.
