All photos: Gustavo Fring
If you are reading this, chances are that you are looking to get yourself or someone else admitted to an aged care center. Or you work in the aged care industry and are planning ahead for your career. In any case, it is an intelligent move to explore the future of the aged care industry and put your plans in place ahead of time.
This makes sense because, after COVID-19, you can never be sure about the future of your health or career. As you age you might get seriously ill or injured and may not be able to make decisions. Your current industry might give in under the weight of the changing economic landscape, leaving you jobless. Or it’s maybe because you simply love caring for older people! Whatever your reasons are, we believe aged care is here to stay, and our thoughts are backed by the following reasons.
• Old People Will Always Need Care
It’s no surprise that the world’s population is aging – for example, in Australia, the national median age is 37 years, and the current life expectancy of average males and females stands at 80 years. Australia’s remarkable health system is the primary enabler of this longevity and truly deserves all the credit for this.
However, while living longer is good, it is also a responsibility and liability to the state. Living longer means that we are likely to have complex healthcare requirements in the later stages of our lives. As a result, an older Aussie is very likely to need home help or be admitted to a well-equipped aged care facility.
These are not random assumptions; these are facts. A major chunk of 5.5 million baby boomers is now entering their retirement years. In fact, almost 1/3 of them have already crossed the official retirement age (65).
Further, a government report from 2015 predicts that the number of Aussies 65 years and over will double from 3.6 million today to 8.9 million in the next 30 years. That is a lot of old Australians to take care of!
• Aged Care is a Mega-industry
Let’s continue with the example of the Australian population; another good reason to believe in the Australian aged care industry's future is its sheer size.
Aged care in Australia is a whopping $21 billion+ industry that employs nearly 300,000 staff across roughly 2000 businesses (non-profit, private, & government-funded), taking care of almost 1 million old Australians (including home care and residential aged care).
Logically speaking, such a massive industry that provides care to millions of old people and employees hundreds of thousands can’t just disappear (at least not in the foreseeable future). Caring for older Australians is an increasingly important source of employment and will continue to grow in the coming decades. You can check this in home aged care sydney blog content by Care For Family to learn more about the surroundings, activities, and special care for elderly people.
However, with growth comes both opportunity and difficulty. While the industry undoubtedly benefits from automation and technology advancements, it still suffers from poor management practices, stressful work environments, and inadequate staff numbers. While the government and NGOs are making serious efforts to counter this, it’s useful to keep this in mind when thinking about a career in aged care. Here is when modern technologies collide with age: app for caregivers, organizations, and aging people help with managing at every single step.
• Is this a Path for You?
If you feel compassionate for elderly people senior care may be the right path for you. There is a wide range of home healthcare franchise opportunities that can be researched and dived into. But, it is important to remember that this requires not only an open heart and compassion. Only a person who isn't afraid of responsibility can both help and succeed.
• The government Takes Seriously
In recent years, the Australian Government has taken aged and home care of old people very seriously and invested $21 billion in Commonwealth-funded aged care services alone. A crucial positive development has been the revised Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) standards. The government has worked hard to establish and improve the condition of aged care facilities all over the country.
Besides the government, the compassionate people of Australia have also come forward to make a difference at an individual and organizational level. More and more people are taking up jobs that directly affect their loved ones and help them play their part in the service of those who can't take care of themselves.
Also, in September 2019, 121 CEOs and executives from 112 aged care providers came together to create the ‘The Perspectives on the Future of Ageing’ report and submitted it to the Royal Commission. This report discusses major issues and offers help in drafting policies related to aged care facilities. It has been an impactful contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of the aged care industry and what needs to be done about it.
All of this shows that the people and government have not forgotten our elders, and their health and care will always be prioritized no matter what.
• The Main Goal of Aged Care
One of the main goals of aged care is to enable older people to live as independently as possible, while still receiving the support they need to maintain their health and well-being. This may involve helping with household tasks, providing transportation to appointments, and offering social and recreational activities.
Special attention is paid to disability support for aged people, support comes from organizations and schemes such as NDIS provider. The types of support provided may vary depending on the individual's specific needs and may include assistance with personal care (such as bathing, dressing, and medication management). In recent years, aged care services have increasingly emphasized the importance of tailoring care and support to the individual needs and preferences of older people, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This includes involving older people in decision-making about their care and supporting their independence as much as possible.
Final Thoughts...
Is the aged care industry here to stay? Definitely! The sheer size of the industry, a growing elderly population, and serious efforts to improve the industry by the government and civil society all point towards a bright aged care scene all over the world. The future of aged care is likely to involve a continued focus on person-centered care and the use of technology to improve the quality and efficiency of care and support.
Most aged care services and facilities are likely to become more flexible and customizable. This may involve the development of new models of care, such as "age-in-place" initiatives that allow older people to receive care and support in their own homes for as long as possible
Lots of love,
Liz
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