1999-2000
Care and support for older Australians a priority for the International Year of Older Persons and beyond
The 1999-2000 Federal Budget demonstrates and reinforces the Government's deep commitment to older Australians from every walk of life and every part of the country for this, the International Year of Older Persons, and beyond.
Fact sheet 2
Care and support for older Australians a priority for the International Year of Older Persons and beyond
The 1999-2000 Federal Budget demonstrates and reinforces the Government's deep commitment to older Australians from every walk of life and every part of the country for this, the International Year of Older Persons, and beyond.
It includes significant measures to boost the physical and emotional health and well-being of our growing population of older Australians, and those who care for them. It also includes initiatives to enhance primary care for these important people in our community.
Celebration to mark the start of cultural change
The Government recognises the important role of older Australians in our society. An additional $5 million to the $6 million in the last Budget will be provided in the 1999 International Year of Older Persons to recognise the significant contribution of older people to communities and families; to encourage a sharing of responsibility between the community and older people for creating a society for all ages; and to ensure a positive cultural change in attitudes towards ageing.
The theme of the International Year is: Australia - Towards a society for all ages.
The Commonwealth commitment is to programs that will begin cultural change so that older Australians are recognised for their wisdom and range of experiences and their continuing contribution to our community.
The Year will also promote the strengthening of links across the generations, as intergenerational understanding is a key to the future strength of our society.
Carers - enhanced respite care
The vital role of carers - around half a million dedicated people who provide ongoing care in support of their loved ones - is again acknowledged and supported by the Government.
Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it is also both physically and emotionally demanding, so support systems are vital. The Government is therefore providing an additional $82.2 million over the next four years to further boost respite care services for carers of people with dementia and other cognitive and behavioural disorders, meeting an important election commitment.
This funding will ensure better quality and increased respite care support and services, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas. Carers can arrange this support through the federally funded national network of Carer Respite Centres (Freecall 1800 059 059).
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| 20.0 | 20.4 | 20.7 | 21.1 |
One call to contact local community care services
Carelink will meet a demonstrated demand by older people for a quick and easy way to get information about care services in their local areas.
Carelink will provide single regional points of contact for community care in regions right across Australia, and is a substantial foundation of the Prime Minister's commitment to providing quality aged care in regional communities.
Over four years, around $41.2 million will be provided to greatly simplify access to community care services by establishing these single contact points. This will make information about service availability and eligibility for community care services available through a single phone call, providing a crucial link between the health and community care sectors.
Health professionals, general practitioners, other service providers, family carers, and individuals will gain easy access to the whole range of agencies providing support services in a region through this important initiative.
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| 3.6 | 11.8 | 12.5 | 13.3 |
Coordinating health care for older Australians
This Budget will provide the opportunity to build on the lessons learned from the current Coordinated Care Trials. Funding has been provided for additional trials in capital cities and selected regional centres that will specifically address the needs of older people who are chronically ill or disadvantaged. As with the current trials, these new trials need to be developed in collaboration with the States and Territories, as well as the medical profession and other service providers. Cooperation in the new trials will also be sought from the non-government and charitable sector. The new trials will complement initiatives in community and primary care being undertaken in many States and Territories.
The Government has committed $25.8 million to these trials over four years. Funding of $7.4 million has also been provided to support the further development of existing Coordinated Care Trials. This allocation will also fund a small number of trials that explore more flexible forms of health insurance to support community-based coordinated care for people with private health insurance. This will ensure that private health funds have the opportunity to explore the potential benefits of coordinated care for those with insurance.
Preventing falls in older people
Injuries caused by falls are a serious concern for older Australians. In 1995 there were 60,000 hospitalisations as a result of falls. Apart from the immediate personal distress and injury, falls can often lead to a longer-term disability, and contribute to the high cost of health care. This Budget will contribute $6.6 million over four years to activities that reduce the rate of falls.
In addition, funding will go to training health workers, and further research into the causes of falls and how to prevent them.
Pre 1 October 1997 nursing home residents
Over four years, the Federal Government will provide $15.2 million to ensure that the small number of residents who have been in nursing homes since before 1 October 1997, and who move to another (non-extra service) facility, will not pay the accommodation charge.
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Targeting funds to those most in need
The Government is providing significantly increased recurrent funding for residential care. This care funding is provided according to the relative care needs of residents. The relative care needs of residents are assessed by service providers according to a Residential Classification Scale.
Through a review process, the Government will ensure that residents receive the care which providers claim they are providing and that resources are accurately targeted to residents with the greatest care needs. Training and other support will continue to be provided to service providers to help them understand their responsibilities and to make accurate claims.
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| -22.7 | -23.1 | -23.5 | -23.9 |
Simplifying aged care planning
Communities in rural and regional Australia need greater flexibility and responsiveness in the way they deliver services. The Federal Government is committed to reviewing the aged care planning process for allocating aged care services. It has allocated around $5.3 million over four years for this purpose. This will ensure that aged care services are structured in ways that best meet the needs of local communities. Support will be provided in each State and Territory to help facilitate workable solutions at the local level for the provision of quality aged care services.
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
Regional Health Service Centres
The Federal Government is delivering on a significant election commitment by establishing 30 new Regional Health Service Centres in rural communities. This initiative provides $42.8 million over the next four years for health-related services, infrastructure costs and aged care in these Centres.
Regional Health Service Centres will offer a range of health, aged care and community services based on community need, with particular emphasis on primary health care. Services could include aged care, rural health promotion, general practitioner services, illness and injury prevention, acute and palliative care, women's health, children's services, community nursing, mental health, podiatry, radiology and immunisation.
The Federal Government will work closely with State and Territory governments and local communities to ensure services are effective and coordinated, and meet the needs of local regions. This major initiative builds on the successful Multipurpose Service Program jointly funded by the Federal Government and States under flexible arrangements.
| 1999-2000 $m | 2000-2001 $m | 2001-2002 $m | 2002-2003 $m |
| 5.9 | 12.1 | 12.3 | 12.5 |
Capital funding assistance targeted particularly to rural Australia
The Federal Government is strongly committed to ensuring that the aged care sector is able to deliver sustainable and quality aged care services for older Australians, wherever they are located.
New capital funding arrangements for aged care facilities were introduced by the Howard Government as a part of the Structural Reform of Aged Care in the 1996-1997 Budget in order to encourage providers to improve the quality of buildings. Aged care facilities that offer good quality buildings and care are able to access this capital income stream which in total is worth over $1.3 billion over the first ten years of the aged care reforms.
A small number of facilities, however, particularly those in rural and remote areas and those that service other special needs groups, may need capital assistance in addition to that available through the capital income stream.
This initiative provides $25.6 million over three years in addition to the $10 million (indexed) per year already available. This will bring to more than $60 million the amount of capital assistance provided by the Government before the certification and accreditation of facilities come into effect in January 2001.
An investment in better aged care facilities
The residential aged care reforms will ensure that people receive the high quality services they need. The industry is responding to the challenge by restructuring to improve such areas as business skills, infrastructure and service provision.
To assist this restructuring process, the Government will provide $8.2 million in addition to the $20 million already allocated for this purpose. The restructuring process encourages services to look at restructuring through rebuilding, transferring and amalgamations and can provide business planning and management advice.
Contact: David Graham, First Assistant Secretary,
Aged and Community Care Division, (02) 6289 5480
