The changing landscape of aged care in Australia
If when you think of aged care you think only of aged care facilities, the changing landscape of Australia’s approach to aged care might surprise you. The future of aged care is looking bright.
The focus for aged care’s future it on providing a range of options for the many unique older Australians who are set to need it.
Our ageing population is no secret and the industry shifts acknowledge that there will be more Australians ageing well, who may need care but want greater control over their lifestyle or prefer flexible care options for their future.
The traditional aged care options continue to be an excellent place for many older individuals or individuals living with a disability who require care, but it’s certainly exciting to have more choices in the future of aged care.
For aged care workers, this means that there will also be a greater range of working options, in a range of new aged care settings.
These two Australian business models are great examples of the innovation in thefuture of aged care industry:
Group Homes Australia
Aged care has traditionally been dominated by government institutions, though over the past five years there’s been a great shift, and we’re now seeing the industry becoming increasingly privatised.
Group Homes Australia is one such example and operates on a model which integrates residents into the community. They give elderly people the chance to live together in an actual home, and to curate services based on the needs of each resident.
Between six to 10 qualified staff run each home, whilst a head office is responsible for administration. Still growing, the business plans to establish homes in suburbs across Australia, providing care that is more integrated into the community, ‘homely’ and personalised for residents.
Better Caring
On the other end of the spectrum is Better Caring – an online marketplace which lets people who are ageing, or those with a disability, search for and hire local care and support workers based on criteria that are important to them.
They also suggest that they are enabling care workers more autonomy to build rewarding and successful careers in community care while working for themselves.
Better Caring works by supplying a web platform where people who require in-home or community care can search for and connect directly with nurses as well as care and support workers in their area. This includes round-the-clock care, overnight respite, daily assistance, or weekly drop-ins.
Care and support workers create their own profile on the Better Caring website outlining their experience, qualifications, availability, hourly rates and interests and are searched for by those requiring assistance.
It’s obvious that aged care is an industry that is not only continuing to grow but is developing in various new directions. This means greater choice not only for clients, but those who care for them.
Start a career caring for older Australians in this dynamic growth industry. Take a look at our aged care courses online or get in touch about how you can be a part of the future of aged care.
