Government-funded Retirement Care Services

The Australian population is getting older every year. Between 1999 and 2019, the number of people has grown from 12.3% to 15.9%. The number of people who are 85 years old and above has also increased by 117.1% in the past two decades.

The increase in the ageing population has generated a demand for retirement home care services. The care sector in Australia is now under pressure to provide the needed services for its older citizens.

The demand is projected to grow because the aging population is expected to continue to grow. Australians are also living longer. While the market is growing, the workforce is also decreasing.

The positive thing about living in Australia is that if you are qualified, the government provides aged-care services.

What are the government-funded aged care services?

The three fundamental services that the government provides are short-term care, in-home care, and residential care in aged care homes.

• Short-term care

This option is designed to help the aged gain back independence after a hospital stay by improving the person’s wellbeing. The person can receive short-term care in their home, in the community, or an aged care home.

They can receive subsidies from the government for their after-hospital care for 12 weeks, short-term restorative care for eight weeks, and respite care for a few hours.

• In-home care

This type of support given by the government is designed to help you stay independent for as long as you need. The help includes shopping, housework, social activities, personal care, transport, food, and home modifications.

The Australian government subsidies are through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the Home Care Packages.

• Residential care

This type of care is for older people who need help with everyday tasks or with health care. It is also for those who can no longer live at home. The Australian Government provides subsidies for aged care homes so they can provide care for 24 hours a day. The residential care provided can be permanent or short term.

How to apply?

There are people who are not eligible for government subsidy so they will have to shoulder the cost themselves.

There are homes of retirement home care services where aged people who do not need a high level of care can go. However, these retirement homes are not subsidised by the government, so they will have to shoulder the cost themselves.

The thing about these retirement homes is that they are a beautiful, close-knit community where older people can enjoy living with people of the same age range. One advantage of living in these retirement homes is that you get domestic help so you won’t have to do the heavy lifting at home. You will also have social companions who you can spend time with. They also provide medical care for you.

Everybody gets older. It is unfortunate that as people age they can’t do the things they used to do when they were still younger. It is really great that the Australian government provides assistance to the older population. For those who are not qualified for these subsidies, there are private homes that they can still go to.