Only 40 per cent of West Australian aged care providers in WA are operating in the black, according to the State’s peak body - Aged and Community Services of Western Australia (ACSWA).
CEO of the organisation, Stephen Kobelke, says research undertaken by its national peak body, Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), reveals that the remaining 60 per cent are surviving by eating into reserves or borrowings.
Yet despite this alarming trend, the Federal government has shown little commitment to addressing the issue and, at the NSW Nurses Association Conference in Randwick on 21 July 2010, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said age care would be made only a “second-term priority for a re-elected Labor Government”.
“Not-for-profit providers of residential and community care services in WA have reached breaking point and are now starting to shut down services,” says Mr Kobelke.
“In fact several providers in the State are handing back government licences to care for elderly Australians, with more planning to follow.”
This dire situation is impacted by further research which demonstrates that nearly 300 elderly people are, each night, lying in beds at Sir Charles Gardiner, Royal Perth, Hollywood or other WA hospitals waiting to get into an age care facility.
The reality is that there are few places available in age care, with availability decreasing. Indeed, ACSWA has calculated that WA has a shortfall of 2,500 aged care places, as providers are not prepared to grow their residential care facilities when they cannot pay for them.
“That’s 2,500 people - our grandparents, parents, friend and neighbours, and care providers in this state cannot cope with the current funding and regulatory structure any more - changes need to be made now, not in three to five years time,” Mr Kobelke adds.
ACSWA is urging elderly Australians and those who care about their plight to contact their local member or go to www.thegrandplan.com.au for more information.
ACSWA is the largest peak industry body in WA representing not-for-profit organisations that operate residential facilities or community care services for the aged and people with disabilities. The 137 member organisation provides nursing home and hostel care, independent living units, serviced apartments, community care and respite services via 550 separate sites in WA.