The Summer Foundation calls for a renewed focus from the Albanese Government to stop younger people with disability from entering residential aged care.
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows 81 people under the age of 65 entered aged care in the last quarter of 2024, and there were still 1,287 younger people stuck in aged care.
This is despite a government commitment to stop aged care being a destination for younger people with disability.
Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change at the Summer Foundation, Jessica Walker, said the data showed the downward trend in the number of younger people with disability entering residential aged care had slowed considerably in recent quarters.
“The implementation of the Aged Care Act in July this year will mean people under 65 will not be able to access residential aged care. But we remain concerned about a loophole which may allow younger people with disability to unnecessarily enter aged care if they are deemed at risk of homelessness,” she said.
“This situation is not good enough. The government made a commitment to the disability community that younger people would not be forced to enter aged care.
“It is a national shame that younger people with disability are still being placed in aged care facilities meant for the final chapters of life, not a life still full of potential.
“Even though the younger people in residential aged care targets have passed, the Albanese Government cannot fail in its commitment to people with disability. We need a renewed focus to get the job done.”
MEDIA: For interviews with Summer Foundation Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change Jessica Walker, please contact Strategic Communications and Media Manager Jessica Craven on 0400 424 559 or jessica.craven@summerfoundation.org.au. The AIHW data can be found here.