Fewer young people in aged care homes – report

There’s been a 20 per cent drop in the number of Australians living in residential aged care, a new government report shows.

There’s been a 20 per cent drop in the number of young Australians living in residential aged care, a new government report shows.

Linda Reynolds

The latest Younger people in residential care report, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare this week, says that at September 2021 there were 3,670 younger people in aged care facilities, compared to 4,600 the previous year.

The number of people aged under 45 has also seen a drop from 120 to 91.

From July to September 2021 a total of 151 people under 65 were admitted to permanent residential aged care, a 30 per cent decrease over 12 months.

The decrease in people entering care resulted in lower overall numbers, the AIHW says.

Numbers decreased across every state and territory between 2020 and 2021.

Most of those in residential aged care (59 per cent) are currently aged between 60 and 64. Almost 40 per cent are aged 45-59 and two per cent are under 44.

AIHW spokeswoman Louise York says the reports track the progress of the government’s Younger People in Residential Aged Care Strategy 2020-25.

The strategy aims to have no one under 45 living in residential aged care by 2022 and no one younger than 65 in aged care homes by 2025.

“The goal of the Strategy is to reduce the number of younger people entering residential aged care and support those already living in residential aged care to move into age-appropriate accommodation with the supports they need,” Ms York said in a statement.

Source: AIHW

NDIS hits milestone

Meanwhile, the The National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) latest Quarterly Report to disability ministers shows the Scheme is now providing disability-related support to 502,413 Australians.

NDIS minister Linda Reynolds described hitting half a million participants as a milestone and said the NDIS market is continuing to grow, with $6.7 billion in payments this quarter and supports forecast to reach $29.2 billion this financial year.

She said the government is also pressing ahead with co-design processes and a Participant Service Guarantee as well as building a robust and viable NDIS market, particularly in remote areas.

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