Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council, Daniel Gannon, said the 'Shared Care' pilot program will demonstrate that retirement villages can help alleviate pressure on the health system while allowing older Australians to receive care in the communities they love.
"A revamped home care system is key to solving Australia's housing and healthcare crises, which can be achieved by utilising retirement villages around Australia," Mr Gannon said.
"The RLC presented the 'Shared Care' framework to the Commonwealth Government as part of its pre-budget submission this year, underpinned by a recommendation to pilot this model.
"The 'Shared Care' model is the way of the future for aged care services in Australia, which would allow retirement villages and their communities to be part of the solution rather than the problem."
Mr Gannon said retirement villages would be able to provide scale for delivering Shared Care services efficiently and cost-effectively by reducing travel costs incurred by service providers.
"Retirement villages enjoy economies of scale given the average sized community across Australia contains 100 independent living units with 120 residents. Utilising these communities to better deliver more home care services in a 'no brainer'," he said.
"This model means services can be provided directly to residents in their retirement communities, including help with hygiene, transport and everyday tasks all under the one roof.
"The program will help keep retirement village residents healthier and happier for longer in their own homes, delaying the need for aged care, which we know is under significant pressure."
This year's federal budget saw a $531.4 million increase to Commonwealth Home Care Packages to reduce the almost 80,000-person backlog at a time when more people are needing more care.
"Retirement villages already offer a huge opportunity to improve health outcomes across the country and can deliver these benefits to residents in age-friendly communities," Mr Gannon said.
"The 'Shared Care' framework provides three models for retirement village operators to deliver community-based care services under the Support at Home program within the village setting, either independently or through a delivery partner.
"Importantly, savings to consumers and taxpayers can be achieved with no cost to government.
"This would also increase the frequency of service delivery which can enhance the quality of services already in place at these residential communities.
"The RLC will now work closely with the Department for Health and Aged Care, along with operators, to deliver this important pilot program and prove its efficacy."
The 'Shared Care' opportunity: a three-level service model for the delivery of the Support at Home program for retirement village residents:
