ALBANESE GOVERNMENT DELIVERING BETTER AGED CARE FOR OLDER AUSTRALIANS

The Albanese Labor Government has put older Australians back at the centre of their care, building a high-quality, respectful and sustainable system that is equipped to
 deliver world-class care older people deserve.  

The Government’s annual aged care residents’ survey has revealed our reforms have continued to improve the standard of care in residential aged care, and that older Australians
 feel safe, dignified and empowered in their care. 

The 2024 survey provides vital insights into the quality of the services aged care residents receive, and the results make up a third of an aged care home’s Overall Star Rating. This years’ survey captured responses from more than 36,000 residents across 2,603 homes. 

Responding more positively compared to the 2023 and 2022 surveys, older Australians in residential aged care have told us their trust is growing in the care they are receiving,
 and they feel more confident to tailor this care to their needs. ·       95% of surveyed aged care residents said they feel safe in their aged care homes and that staff are kind and caring. 
·       91% said they have a say in their daily activities
 – a 10% increase from 2022. 
·      88% said they are encouraged to do things for themselves – an increase of 7% from 2022. 
·       88% of residents said they would recommend their aged care home - a 3% increase from 2023. 
·       70% of residents said they were satisfied with the food in their home - consistent with previous years’ results. 

The Albanese Government has taken significant steps to improve quality and variety of food in aged care because we know nutritious, flavoursome food makes all the difference
 to an older Australian’s health and is integral to their quality of care. 

When the new Aged Care Act starts from 1 November, providers will be obligated to meet the new, dedicated, Food and Nutrition Aged Care Quality Standard which raises the
 bar for providers looking after older Australians in residential care.