Residential aged care: 50% of people don't trust they'd receive good care

New research by the National Ageing Research Institute has found that trust in the aged-care system is particularly low, with almost 50% of older people revealing they do not trust that they would receive good care in residential aged care. And that’s not all — 41% consider residential aged-care facilities to be depressing places.

The report, titled ‘What do older people want from their healthcare?’, conducted on behalf of the Victorian Department of Health, has revealed older Victorians have a lack of trust in, and understanding of, the health- and aged-care systems. Less than 50% of respondents were aware of the healthcare services available to them. Around 22% of older people surveyed do not understand the My Aged Care system.

However, taking an active role in management of health was deemed to be very important by 82% of older people, and more than 75% said living independently in their own home for as long as possibly was a top priority.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety highlighted that older Australians want to remain at home. This research reaffirms this, but also shows there is a lack of faith in our health- and aged-care systems’ ability to provide adequate support,” said NARI Acting Executive Director, Associate Professor Frances Batchelor.

“One of the key things older people want is to be heard, and this report is an important avenue for their voices. If we listen, the challenges older people and their carers are facing can be planned for and addressed,” Associate Professor Batchelor said.

Based on this research, NARI has identified the core priorities of older people as being:

1. For their opinions regarding health and wellbeing to be heard.
2. Choices to be built into their health care.
3. Support to identify, navigate, access and use healthcare services.
4. Effective communication with service providers.
5. Health care that is integrated and responsive to their needs.

More than 1 million Victorians are aged over 60. Carers are also feeling the strain from a lack of confidence in the system. Less than half of carers felt that caring was a fulfilling experience, and only 16% felt well supported by other carers and services to help share the load. With more than 60% of carers surveyed aged over 65 themselves, there is increased likeliness that they will have increasing health needs of their own.

“Older people and their carers want and deserve support that is informed by their needs, priorities and expectations,” Associate Professor Batchelor said.

“We hope this report, and the important findings within it, will help inform government and create a starting point for much needed change within the system.”

The research included a survey of almost 300 older people across Victoria, between April 2019 and February 2020.

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