Today, OPAN CEO Craig Gear launched the National Aged Care Advocacy Program Presenting Issues Report July 2024–June 2025.
Published annually, this report offers offers a detailed analysis of the 52,206 instances of information and advocacy support our network members provided to older people, their families and other supporters – an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.
Poor communication, lack of information and support to make decisions were reported to be the key challenges for the fifth year in a row. Difficulties in finding engaging service providers and barriers to accessing necessary assistive technology were other challenges faced by older people in the report.
The data collected by our network members helps us to identify systemic issues within the aged care sector and to suggest practical solutions. This year, we have made 59 recommendations to government, with 34 carried over from the 2023 and 2024 report.
‘It is deeply concerning that the same issues keep surfacing year after year. Older people tell us they are still waiting too long for care, not getting clear information, and being excluded from decisions that affect their lives,’ Mr Gear said.
‘The new Aged Care Act on 1 November is an important new chapter and an opportune time to reflect on how the government and sector can work collaboratively to improve the quality of life for older Australians.’
Read the Presenting Issues Report here.
