Recent national research conducted by Bupa aged care found there is increasing concern amongst older Australians about dementia and the demands the disease places on both individuals and families.

Every year Bupa surveys older Australians regarding their attitudes toward growing older. Speaking at the Better Practice conference in Sydney today, Bupa Care Services Managing Director, Paul Gregersen, said the aged care industry needs to do more to meet the needs of the ageing Baby Boomer generation.

‘In these changing times providing good quality care is not enough. If we are truly caring for people, we need to understand the things they hold important and deliver on these needs.” Mr Gregersen said.

The Bupa research*, conducted in June 2012, interviewed 1,000 over 50 year olds about their attitudes toward ageing and aged care.

Most older Australians view the years ahead as a time of freedom to travel, spend time with family and enjoy fewer responsibilities. However, there are also concerns about loss of independence and who will provide care, if and when, it is needed.

Although everyone desires to continue living in their own home, older Australians appreciate that aged care is the right choice for some people with high care needs.

People view their GP as the most trusted source of information about aged care but still find it difficult to navigate the system. There is ongoing debate about whether aged care services should be user pays or Government funded, and whether the family home should be asset tested.

Download the full report from www.bupa.com.au/aged-care

For further information please contact Kathy Scott 0415 764 159.

• non-AHHA

• Printer-friendly version