6 November 2008
Nursing homes
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It's no secret that our population is ageing. Right now more than 2.8 million of us are aged over 65. An expansion of community care programs has enabled more elderly people to stay in their own homes for longer. As a result, those aged over 85 tend to be the main users of aged care services. The number of people in that age group is expected to increase by fourfold over the next 40 years.
But the nursing home industry is reluctant to build more beds. It says the sector is over-regulated and the government controls all three of the fundamentals -- supply, demand and price. So should there be changes in aged care? Should nursing home residents pay more or should the federal government change the way it subsidises nursing home beds?
Guests
Rod Young
CEO Aged Care Association of Australia
Roland Naufal
Aged services and retirement consultant
Ian Yates
Chief Executive, Council on the Ageing Seniors Voice
Margaret Crothers
Educator and advocate The Aged Care Rights Service
Further Information
Productivity Commission: Trends in Aged Care Services
Presenter
Paul Barclay
Story Researcher and Producer
Debra McCoy
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