Almost 200 are under the age of 45 – now the Federal Government has unveiled a national action plan to cut the number of younger people living in aged care.
The new action plan has three key goals:
- Support those already living in aged care aged under 45 to find alternative, age-appropriate housing and supports by 2022
- Support those already living in aged care aged under 65 to find alternative, age-appropriate housing and supports by 2025
- Halve the number of younger people aged under 65 entering aged care by 2025.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is also gearing up to help younger people with disabilities to increase their capacity to live in the community once they have left residential care – including assistance with housing options and funding for home modifications.
We think it’s a great move. Working as an aged care physiotherapist, there are many younger people in care, often with no one else their age there and facilities that may not always be well-equipped to meet all of the needs a younger person with disability may have.
With older Australians needing aged care beds and younger people currently having few other options, this plan can only be a good thing.
