Ageing at home on the increase

A new report, Australia’s Welfare 2007, highlights the growing trend of seniors choosing to age at home.

The demand for in-home support (care packages) and residential aged care places has grown in the past five years.

Care package use increased by 48% in the five years to 2006. While people who live in aged care facilities still outnumber those who access care package support, things are changing. Care package use is continually growing, while residential aged care demand is dropping. Even in the oldest age group, 85 years or over, the use of care packages rose by 34% over the period, while residential care use fell by 7%.

Commenting on the figures, the National Seniors Association (NSA) said this trend could demonstrate seniors’ desire to age at home.

“Many seniors want to live in their own homes, so there should be more focus on continuing to improve this service,” chief executive officer, Michael O’Neill, said.

“The report concludes that we need a system to allow aged care clients to give feedback on services, and we wholeheartedly agree with this. NSA is seeking a review to ensure care packages give people what they need to remain in their own homes.”