Data shows that about one-third of Australians with dementia live in the community rather than in specialist care facilities, while research indicates Australia's aged care system is already experiencing workforce shortages.
Discuss how these trends create both opportunities and challenges for supporting Australia's ageing population. (6 marks)
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Benefits of community-based care trends
- [P] Community-based care for people with dementia creates opportunities for maintaining family connections and familiar environments that support wellbeing.
- [E] Living in the community allows older Australians with dementia to maintain independence for longer periods while receiving family support and home care services.
- [Ev] This approach can be more cost-effective than residential care and allows people to age in place, which is often preferred by individuals and families.
- [L] Therefore, community care models can provide person-centred support while reducing pressure on residential aged care facilities.
Challenges of workforce shortages and community care
- [P] However, workforce shortages combined with increasing community care needs create significant challenges for service delivery and family carers.
- [E] The shortage of aged care workers means that families often become primary carers without adequate professional support or respite services.
- [Ev] This places enormous stress on family members who may lack training in dementia care while trying to manage complex health needs at home.
- [L] Consequently, without sufficient community support services and trained workers, the burden on families increases while people with dementia may not receive appropriate specialist care when needed.
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Benefits of community-based care trends
- [P] Community-based care for people with dementia creates opportunities for maintaining family connections and familiar environments that support wellbeing.
- [E] Living in the community allows older Australians with dementia to maintain independence for longer periods while receiving family support and home care services.
- [Ev] This approach can be more cost-effective than residential care and allows people to age in place, which is often preferred by individuals and families.
- [L] Therefore, community care models can provide person-centred support while reducing pressure on residential aged care facilities.
Challenges of workforce shortages and community care
- [P] However, workforce shortages combined with increasing community care needs create significant challenges for service delivery and family carers.
- [E] The shortage of aged care workers means that families often become primary carers without adequate professional support or respite services.
- [Ev] This places enormous stress on family members who may lack training in dementia care while trying to manage complex health needs at home.
- [L] Consequently, without sufficient community support services and trained workers, the burden on families increases while people with dementia may not receive appropriate specialist care when needed.