People behind the stats: Ageing and Aged Care Unit
(L to R) : Kate Valentine, Evon Bowler,
Anne Peut, Charles Hudson, Jess Cargill,
Judith Abercromby and Peter Braun
Who we are
The Ageing and Aged Care Unit is part of the Continuing and Specialised Care Group at AIHW.
The team is led by Judith Abercromby who is the longest-serving staff member at AIHW, and has been the Unit Head since 2011.
What we do
The Ageing and Aged Care Unit analyses and distributes information on ageing and aged care services in Australia. This includes both residential and community aged care services, the informal care sector and older people’s health and social participation.
The Unit publishes three regular reports on aged care:
- Aged care packages in the community: a statistical overview
- Residential aged care in Australia: a statistical overview
- Older people leaving hospital: a statistical overview of the Transition Care Program
In addition, staff undertake research and analysis on other aspects of aged care to support decision and policy-making, and to inform the community.
‘The Unit’s access to a wide range of data collected by the Department of Health and Ageing and other agencies allows it to paint a comprehensive picture of the people who use government-funded aged care services in Australia’, says Judith.
Why we do it
On average, Australians are living longer and healthier lives. In 2011 there were over three million Australians aged 65 and over (around 14% of the population), and this number is increasing.
By 2031 older Australians are projected to make up 19–21% of the population.
‘The ageing of the Australian population presents several challenges, most notably an increased demand for aged care services’, says Judith.
‘The work this unit does is critically important in supporting planning for these services’.
What lies ahead
From July 2013 the AIHW will establish Australia’s first Aged Care Data Clearinghouse, which was announced as part of the 2012 aged care reforms.
‘The Clearinghouse will aim to improve access to aged care data and information for the purposes of research, evaluation and for members of the wider community’.
‘This exciting development has been welcomed by researchers and members of the aged care sector in particular.’
The Unit has also recently released a major report, Dementia in Australia, which was launched at the National Dementia Research Forum in Canberra on 26 September 2012.
Further information
Communications, Media and Marketing Unit
Phone: 02 6244 1032
Email: