Writing, puzzles, chess and cards are among activities that may help reduce the risks of dementia in older age, according to a new Australian study. Findings from a Monash University research found that older people who often participate in active literacy activities like taking education classes, writing letters or journals and in active mental activities…

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said two decades of inaction have left the federal government in a position where all options to fund higher standards of aged care are on the table, including a Medicare-style levy. She believes the government has a “genuine duty to deliberate” a levy on taxpayers to help fund a better-aged…

Calls for a levy to improve aged care quality have been labelled as a “lazy” way of fixing issues in the sector by federal opposition. Opposition aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston said while there were many ways of addressing shortfalls in the industry, imposing a levy was not the answer. Aged Care Minister Anika Wells…

The Australian government has downplayed concerns that inflation will flare up following the record pay rises for aged care workers. On May 4, the Labor government announced that the upcoming May 9 budget would include a 15 percent pay increase for aged care workers across the country as the Fair Work Commission recommended. The new…

The Australian government has downplayed concerns that inflation will flare up following the record pay rises for aged care workers. On May 4, the Labor government announced that the upcoming May 9 budget would include a 15 percent pay increase for aged care workers across the country as the Fair Work Commission recommended. The new…

Australia’s aged care sector will cost the country $5 billion (US$3.36 billion) more in 2022-2023 and is expected to put more pressure on the government budget in the coming years. The 2023 federal budget to be released on May 9 will feature aged care services as the fifth-largest area of government spending. Specifically, the total…

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government makes “no apology” for its ambitious 24/7 nursing requirement for aged care facilities, despite warnings that struggling providers will shut down if they can’t fill rosters. Wesley Mission announced it would close all its Sydney aged care homes due to being unable to meet workforce requirements by the…

At aged care homes across the country, an unfathomable problem is literally piling up with absorbent, single-use products needed to help residents who struggle with bladder and bowel control. Aksh Bhola, who manages an Arcare facility at Knox in Melbourne’s east, says the volume of incontinence waste the centre produces is a constant challenge. “We…

The residential aged care system is under significant strain, with two-thirds of providers making a loss late last year. The aged care royal commission, which uncovered a system under stress and in dire need of reform, recommended greater transparency of the finances of aged care sector players. The first release of data, covering the September…

Australia’s residential aged care and home care sector is operating at a loss with a recent survey finding that each bed is losing over $7,000 (US$4,700) per year—a loss in excess of $345 million for the September quarter. This follows a 2022 population report that found Australia’s ageing population could pose a strain on the…