The number of Community Aged Care Packages provided to older
Australians as an alternative to low-level residential aged care
continues to increase, says the latest report from the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Community Aged Care Packages in Australia 2002-03: A
statistical overview reports that there were 27,881 Community
Aged Care Packages at the end of the 2002-03 financial year, an
increase of 1,456 packages from the previous year.
This equates to 15.3 packages for each 1,000 people aged 70
years and over at 30 June 2003, compared to 14.7 a year
earlier.
Ann Peut, Head of AIHW's Ageing and Aged Care Unit, said the
total number of Community Aged Care Packages had risen each year
since the program was introduced by the Commonwealth Government in
1992 to provide assistance for frail or disabled older people so
they could continue living in the community.
'These increases included a 52% rise in the number of packages
between 30 June 2000 and 30 June 2003, from 18,309 to 27,881
packages,' Ms Peut said.
In the year to 30 June 2003, there were 14,719 admissions to
Community Aged Care Packages. During the same period, there were
12,776 separations.
'Among those who stopped using a package during that period, 47%
of care recipients reported leaving to go to a residential aged
care service and 19% died,' Ms Peut said.
The majority (60%) of care package recipients at 30 June 2003
were aged 80 years and over. Those aged 90 years and over accounted
for 13% of recipients.
Female care recipients outnumbered male recipients by more than
two to one, at 71% and 29% respectively.
Ms Peut said the growth in the number of Community Aged Care
Packages was consistent with the preferences of many older
Australians, with some need for support, to remain living in the
community.
'The provision ratio of residential aged care places and
Community Aged Care Packages combined has increased over recent
years from 94.4 at 30 June 2000 to 98.1 at 20 June 2003.
'In this period, for each 1,000 people aged 70 years and over,
provision of residential aged care has remained relatively stable
at around 82-83 places per 1,000 people aged 70 years and over,' Ms
Peut said.
29 July 2004
Further information: Ann Peut, AIHW, tel. 02
6244 1108 or mobile 0407 915 851.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW
Publications Catalogue for availability of Community Aged
Care Packages in Australia 2002-03: A statistical overview,
July 2004.