Australia provides institutional long-term care for almost 20% of the population aged over 80 years placing Australia as the nation with the highest proportion of older people living in institutional care in the Western world. Critically, the number of Australians aged 85 years and over is projected to double by 2042, increasing to over 1 million people according to the latest population projections released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

 

We are seeing more residents than any era previously entering aged care facilities that unfortunately have been identified by the government as lacking. Unfortunately, many of these facilities have been identified as lacking, leading to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among residents (40% higher compared to those of the same age living at home).

 

It is these ‘invisible Australians’, the backbones, forefathers and mothers of our community, that we aim to shine a light on, to show respect and support at a time they most need it.

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Our first step was creating a submission to the Royal Commission. Research uncovered a gap between the psychosocial needs of residents and what staff currently provided. It also highlighted the volunteer sector as being underutilised and unsupported. The potential benefits of training volunteers in a non-clinical capacity was put forward as a high impact, low cost option to offset staffing shortages. 

 

Following positive feedback from Government and Aged Care Facilities alike, we formed Aged Care Volunteering Australia to attract, train and place volunteers in local Aged Care Facilities. Importantly at no cost to residents or the facility.

 

We believe in the power of compassion and community. That combining the two will realise our simple yet profound mission: to enhance the lives of elderly aged care residents across Australia by fostering connections, providing support, and enriching their daily experiences through volunteers. 

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"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats it's most vulnerable members." -Mahatma Ghandi.

 

Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future for aging Australians.