If I could distil my many thoughts into one broad idea, it would be this: think ‘ageing well’ and work toward everything that can support that.
Good news for printers and IT consultants with the announcement that the Commonwealth is moving the policy and administration for aged care back into the Department of Health, from where, many say, it should never have been moved in the first place. (OK, a cynic’s view…)
Two days ago, we received the somewhat surprising news that the Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley had been sworn in as the new Minister for Aged Care, bringing that responsibility into the broader healthcare system where – I personally agree – it best belongs.
Confused about all this? Well, there is ‘history’.
The news about the new ministerial appointment was surprising in that in 2013, the incoming former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, had quite deliberately shifted responsibility for ‘aged care’ (not ‘ageing’, it must be pointed out) away from the health portfolio, which it had called ‘home’ for the previous 15 years, and into the new portfolio of Social Services.
There it had found a new home under the broad umbrella of the erstwhile Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews, but with special focus from a very able junior minister in Senator Mitch Fifield – (now newly appointed Minister for the Arts and Communication) who was minister for disability as well as for ageing.
While there were always mixed feelings among ‘ageing’ stakeholders about this change, it had been nearly two years and… well, people adjust to new landscapes.
A change of heart on ‘ageing’?
The new Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull had originally left ageing and aged care (by name at least) out of the picture in the first tranche of ministerial portfolio announcements. Though Western Australian MP, Christian Porter, taking over the Social Services portfolio from Kevin Andrews, had officially been welcomed as the new minister responsible for ageing and aged care.
We can only guess what presentations, protestations, arguments and possibly even threats on the part of aged care providers, senior consumer groups and other ageing-focused interest groups might have taken place in the intervening nine or 10 days to arrive at the current situation.
As a non-watcher of political shenanigans, this may sound like political spin-speak, designed to press the buttons of a handful of staunch, terrier-like ‘stakeholders’
The bottom line
In any case, Australia now has, by all indications, a very able Minister for Aged Care in Sussan Ley – supported by junior minister Ken Wyatt – and, as she points out, a seat at the Cabinet table.
The news has been fairly universally welcomed. Sussan Ley has been seen as a successful minister for health, noted for her openness and willingness to listen, her collaboration and negotiation skills, among other skills.
Aside from important skills and respect she may bring to the role, an interesting factor in any consideration of this news is that Ms Ley says, “I proactively put my hand up to bring responsibility for aged care back to health and give it a seat at the Cabinet table.”
As a non-watcher of political shenanigans, this may sound like political spin-speak, designed to press the buttons of a handful of staunch, terrier-like ‘stakeholders’. Well, there is no doubt an element of that in the mix. This is politics after all!
But the ‘Cabinet table’ access is indeed important, hopefully in the context of a sensitive, thinking approach to ageing issues. The broad good news is that, under Prime Minister Turnbull’s new-fangled ‘21st century government’ and ‘ministry for the future’, we can probably assume that – at the very least – ideas, questions and criticisms will be acknowledged – and hopefully embraced.
It is not just about our system providing best practice ‘aged care’ in its various residential, home and community settings. It needs to be broader than that – actively including preventive health and chronic disease management initiatives, active ageing incentives and supportive housing policy changes.
An opportunity to be grasped
There are a great many issues that need to be addressed to ensure our society not only looks after the specific needs of its ever-changing older population (that’s all of you!) but really…. that our whole society benefits from the wisdom and active involvement of older people.
Our new minister, Sussan Ley said in her statement, “Aged care is more than just residential aged care homes or facilities – after all only one in 11 Australians aged over 70 actually receive permanent residential care.
“While some see our ageing population as a burden on the health system or a burden on society, I have always supported and celebrated that we are living healthier and, for the most part, happier lives,” she said.
As a public statement at least, it is encouraging.
If I could distil my many thoughts for governments and policy makers into one broad statement, it would be this: think ‘ageing well’ and work toward everything that can support that.
It is not just about our system providing best practice ‘aged care’ in its various residential, home and community settings. It needs to be broader than that – actively including preventive health and chronic disease management initiatives, active ageing incentives and supportive housing policy changes. And more!
We watch with interest!
