Rethink needed: AMA calls for "restorative" aged care model
Available places in residential aged care facilities could be increased substantially if the Federal Government funded a new 'restorative' care category for sick and dependent residents, according to the Australian Medical Association.
Chair of the AMA's Public Health and Aged Care Committee, Dr Bill Pring, said existing aged care funding was skewed the wrong way - providing highest subsidies for the most dependent residents, rather than incentives to make them better.
While welcoming today's allocation of additional aged care places, Dr Pring said the Federal Government could be improving the model into which it was pouring more money.
"The government's current model establishes aged care facilities as permanent 'homes'.
"While there is certainly a growing need for permanent aged care places - we say the government should be actively trying to restore health and independence to as many frail and elderly people as possible," Dr Pring said.
"Under our proposal, a new restorative care category on the Resident Classification Scale would receive the highest level of government remuneration.
"Facilities would have the incentive to provide intensive, restorative care to help residents regain their independence - freeing up more hospital beds and more residential aged care places for high-dependency residents," Dr Pring said.
"The trouble with the current aged care classification is that it's based on residents' disabilities. A lot of disabilities are disease-related and require medical care. So the model needs to be changed to include more health care - to try and make people better.
"This is a proposal the AMA will continue to develop with geriatricians and aged care providers.
"We are also calling on the Federal Government to set up Teaching Nursing Homes to improve levels of expertise and encourage more innovation within the aged care sector," he said.