Opinion

Opinion: Hospital wait times are a dire sign of the future that awaits ageing Australia

The latest data shows hospital beds are at a premium – and older Australians are the most likely to miss out. Is there a solution? As we report in this issue, emergency wait times are at their longest in a decade while surgery wait times are at...

Lauren Broomham

23 Apr 2024

Development

Surf Coast Shire approves Summerset Villages’ new plans for retirement village days before VCAT hearing

The New Zealand operator’s amended plan for a retirement village of 191 independent living units (a reduction of five independent living units) in the seaside resort of Torquay, 97km southwest of Melbourne’s CBD, has been approved by the council on...

Ian Horswill

22 Apr 2024

Opinion

576 village sellers are waking up: buyers are knocking on doors as the demand and supply penny drops on seniors accommodation

With Aveo selling 16 villages and RetireAustralia, with 29 villages, now also up for full sale (again), we hear a lot about these big players in seniors accommodation, but little about the little guys – and there are a lot of them. In fact we have...

Chris Baynes

22 Apr 2024

Opinion

Opinion: Government’s bid to stagger latest aged care wage rise reflects need for funding reform

The aged care is facing competition from childcare and other sectors in its bid for a Government-funded wages boost. As we reported as soon as the submission was reported last Friday, the Federal Government has committed to fully funding the Fair...

Lauren Broomham

18 Apr 2024

Opinion

The “New” model for a Silver Decade for retirement living operators

Optimism, the title of LEADERS SUMMIT 2024, continues to be the dominant theme in the retirement village sector as we move towards the end of the financial year. In this issue, we report on Mark Bindon’s speech at LEADERS SUMMIT where he revealed...

Chris Baynes

16 Apr 2024

Opinion

Opinion: what could be on the table for aged care on Budget night?

With just over four weeks until the 2024-25 Federal Budget is announced on 14 May, anticipation is building for Treasurer Jim Chalmers to restore some much-needed certainty to the aged care sector. As we report in this issue, the Shadow Minister for...

Lauren Broomham

11 Apr 2024

Opinion

With little retirement living development taking place in NSW, these four people are fighting for change

The Retirement Living Council states there will be a shortfall of 49,000 seniors housing independent living units (ILUs) just to keep up with the current penetration rate by 2030. With only low levels of construction for seniors housing underway...

Chris Baynes

09 Apr 2024

Opinion

Opinion: despite the headlines, delay to new Aged Care Act is good news

The news that the new Aged Care Act will be delayed to January or even July 2025 is hardly a surprise, given there are now just 12 weeks until its planned 1 July 2024 start date – and delivers more time for the sector and Government to get the new...

Lauren Broomham

04 Apr 2024

Opinion

What do you advise your staff to say when there is no advice for the most needy?

We have two public facing websites (villages. com. au and agedccare101. com. au) and each week they receive several desperate requests for help to locate accommodation by people in their 70s, 80s and 90s. And then there are the phone calls. These days...

Chris Baynes

02 Apr 2024

Topic - Opinion

Opinion: positive financial results for residential aged care – but more workforce pain ahead

The latest StewartBrown Aged Care Financial Performance Survey has again delivered improved results for residential aged care providers – but also hinted at the increasing pressure that operators will face in the leadup to the mandated requirement...

Lauren Broomham

28 Mar 2024

Opinion

Cam Ansell predicts private aged care in retirement villages is the growth service

About 11 years ago Cam Ansell jumped ship from advisory group Grant Thornton to establish his own advisory group, Ansell Strategic. Today he is at the forefront of the reshaping of retirement living and aged care, thanks to his in-demand mergers and...

Chris Baynes

26 Mar 2024

Opinion

Opinion: $3.3 billion price tag for aged care wage rise underlines need for Plan B

The Fair Work Commission’s decision last Friday to further increase wages for aged care workers is a positive step for the sector – but has again highlighted the growing costs facing the taxpayer and providers. As we reported earlier this week...

Lauren Broomham

21 Mar 2024

Topic - Opinion

Houston, we have a problem. No hospital beds as well as no care beds

On page 5 of The Australian today the Australian Medical Association is going to the media to say that hospitals across the country are experiencing the highest levels on record of emergency presentations and bed blockers. Many are retirement...

Chris Baynes

18 Mar 2024