Aged care report highlights need for urgent action

Urgent action is required to address New Zealand’s rapidly ageing population and make provision for a marked increase in aged care health services according to a major review released yesterday.

The nationwide review of health care services for the elderly and disabled was commissioned by leaders of the aged residential care sector together with District Health Boards and the Ministry of Health. It has prompted fresh concerns of a health system that is ill equipped to deal with the demands of a rapidly ageing population and associated health care services.

“This collaborative review has confirmed concerns are evident in the aged care industry,“ says Brien Cree, CEO of Radius Care rest homes and hospitals. “Urgent action is required to meet the projected health care needs and increasing demands of our ageing population”.

With New Zealand’s baby boomer population of 65+ year olds expected to nearly double in the next 15 years the report estimates that aged care facilities will need to increase capacity by up to 110 percent to meet projected demand for services. The report warns that by 2026 the over 65 population is expected to increase by 84 percent, from 512,000 to 944,000. At present there are just 34,000 aged care beds in rest homes and hospitals throughout New Zealand but an additional 12,000 to 20,000 people will also require aged residential care by the year 2026.

“This review is hugely beneficial in that it provides vital information for both the Government and aged care operators to start making urgent provisions to ensure the health needs of our elderly are met”, says Cree who operates a total of 21 aged care facilities throughout New Zealand.

“The government must respond in a proactive manner. The private sector and current operators alone cannot sufficiently stimulate the investment required to meet demand. It will require a collaborative approach between the government, various DHB’s and providers of aged care who will be expected to work together to identify problems and challenges and to implement swift solutions”.