Changing Trends

With the advent of COVID19, many families decided to look after their loved ones at home. There has also been an increasing desire from our ageing population to grow older and to age in the home, apartment or retirement village they know and love.

Reflecting this new trend, nearly half of the $17.7 billion increase in funding to the aged care sector is allocated to home care including 80,000 new packages by June 2023. We also see a further $13 billion allocated to increased NDIS expenditure. A new unified aged care in home care programme with new business rules is set to launch in July 2023.

The Royal Commission into aged care quality and safety made a more restorative and preventative approach to care, with increased access to allied health care, including speech pathology, in both home and residential aged care. A further valuable recommendation is professionalising the aged care workforce through changes to education, training, wages, labour conditions and career progression.

Whether you are a carer of a loved one at home, aged care nursing staff or a care worker in an aged care facility, you have an opportunity to be proactive in your care-giving. Swallowing issues also known as Dysphagia, affect a third of our elderly population. Knowing what to look for and how best to manage this potentially life-threatening condition relies very much on the individual. Our Safe Swallowing Education Course empowers you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable for the sake of those you care for.