What do older Australians want?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report older Australians' views about what they want from aged care reforms expressed in submissions to the Productivity Commission's 'Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians' and the 'Conversations on Ageing' (Conversations). METHOD: Consumer responses to the 'Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians' (n = 59) and findings from the Conversations (n = 31) conducted by the Honourable MarkButler with the Council on the Ageing were summarised. RESULTS: Older people wanted to be included as full citizens in community life with their contributions acknowledged, including as carers. They wanted high quality, accessible and respectful services that supported their independence and over which they had control. They wanted fair and transparent funding arrangements and care that caters for diversity in Australia's older people. They wanted reform to be soon and to have bipartisan support. CONCLUSION: This paper provides consumer perspectives to inform aged care policy, practice and research in Australia.