Aged care services can be essential for older adults who need help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. However, accessing aged care services can be difficult, especially for those with limited financial resources or who live in rural or remote areas.

Common barriers to aged care services

The common barriers to aged care services are the cost, availability, quality, access to information, discrimination, lack of support for carers, complex and bureaucratic system, lack of choice, geographic isolation, cultural barriers, language barriers, and the additional barriers face by Indigenous Australians.

Cost

Aged care services can be expensive, especially residential aged care. The cost of aged care services varies depending on the type of care and the location of the facility. However, there are government subsidies available to help with the cost of aged care services.

Availability

There is a shortage of aged care services in Australia, especially residential aged care. This means that there can be long wait times for access to aged care services.

Quality

There have been concerns about the quality of aged care services in Australia. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality found that there were widespread problems with the quality of aged care services, including neglect, abuse, and inadequate staffing levels.

Access to information

It can be difficult to find information about aged care services, especially for those who are not familiar with the aged care system. There is also a lack of information about the quality of aged care services.

Discrimination

Older people can experience discrimination when trying to access aged care services. For example, some aged care facilities may not accept people with certain health conditions or disabilities.

Lack of support for carers

Carers play a vital role in supporting older adults, but they often receive little support themselves. This can make it difficult for carers to continue caring for their loved ones.

Complex and bureaucratic system

The aged care system in Australia can be complex and bureaucratic. This can make it difficult for older adults and their families to navigate the system and access the services they need.

Lack of choice

There is often a lack of choice when it comes to aged care services. For example, there may be only a few aged care facilities in a particular area, and these facilities may not offer the services that an older adult needs

Geographic isolation

Older adults who live in rural or remote areas can have difficulty accessing aged care services. This is because there are often fewer aged care facilities in rural and remote areas, and the transportation options may be limited.

Cultural barriers

Older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds may face cultural barriers when trying to access aged care services. For example, they may not be able to communicate with staff, or they may not feel comfortable in the aged care environment.

Language barriers

Older people who do not speak English fluently may face language barriers when trying to access aged care services. This can make it difficult for them to communicate with staff and understand their rights.

Indigenous Australians face additional barriers

Indigenous Australians face additional barriers when trying to access aged care services. This is due to factors such as racism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma.

How to overcome the barriers to aged care services

There are a number of things that older adults and their families can do to overcome the barriers to aged care services. This is to get information and advice, to plan ahead, to be assertive, and to get support.

Get information and advice

It is important to get information and advice about aged care services from a trusted source. This could be a financial adviser, a social worker, or a government agency.

Plan ahead

It is important to start planning for aged care early. This will give you time to research the different options and find a service that is right for you.

Be assertive

It is important to be assertive and advocate for your rights. If you are not happy with the quality of care you are receiving, or if you are having difficulty accessing services, speak up.

Get support

There are a number of organisations that can provide support to older adults and their families. These organisations can provide information and advice about aged care services, as well as support with practical tasks such as transport and meal preparation.

Conclusion

The barriers to aged care services can be significant, but there are a number of things that older adults and their families can do to overcome them. By getting information and advice, planning ahead, being assertive, and getting support, older adults can ensure that they receive the care and support they need.