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HMS, HAG 2023 HSC 22

How does a healthy, ageing population affect Australia's health care system?   (4 marks)

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Sample answer

  • A healthy, ageing population reduces institutional care demands as older adults maintain independence longer. This decreases admissions to nursing homes and residential facilities, lowering government expenditure on expensive institutional services.
  • Consequently, hospital utilisation declines through fewer emergency presentations and shorter acute care stays. This creates capacity within existing hospital infrastructure for other patient populations.
  • However, healthcare demand shifts toward community-based services including home modifications, meal preparation and domestic assistance. The health system must reallocate resources from institutional settings to community support programs rather than reducing overall spending.

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Sample answer

  • A healthy, ageing population reduces institutional care demands as older adults maintain independence longer. This decreases admissions to nursing homes and residential facilities, lowering government expenditure on expensive institutional services.
  • Consequently, hospital utilisation declines through fewer emergency presentations and shorter acute care stays. This creates capacity within existing hospital infrastructure for other patient populations.
  • However, healthcare demand shifts toward community-based services including home modifications, meal preparation and domestic assistance. The health system must reallocate resources from institutional settings to community support programs rather than reducing overall spending.