Industry leaders are aiming to make aged care a major issue in the federal election.
The campaign is urging politicians to address both the funding emergency in residential aged care – with an estimated 43% of facilities operating at a loss – and the excessive waiting times for older Australians to receive essential at-home care services.
It is also calling for investment in aged care workforce growth and development, and the creation of a comprehensive national ‘ageing well’ strategy.
The event was launched at the Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) QLD State Conference, where LASA CEO Sean Rooney called aged care “an issue of national importance”.
“We are accountable for our performance and do not shy away from our responsibility to deliver safe, quality care . . . but we are constrained by the fact that funding has not kept pace with rising costs and the growing needs and expectations of older Australians,” he said.
“Aged care matters just as much as health and education.”
You can read the full campaign booklet here.
