The challenge for single women in Australia’s aged care system
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A groundbreaking study from Macquarie Business School has uncovered a concerning trend in Australia’s aged care system: single women are likely to spend significantly more time in residential care facilities than other demographics. This finding highlights the need for targeted interventions and policy changes to support this vulnerable group.
Dr Colin Zhang, lead researcher and senior lecturer in the Department of Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics, reports that while the average time Australians spend in residential aged care is projected to decline by 2040, “the amount of time widowed women aged between 50 and 79 years will live in residential care is expected to increase to an average of 45 months.”
This disparity is attributed to several factors, including women’s longer life expectancy and the tendency for widowed or unmarried women to enter care earlier due to unmet psychological and social needs.
“This is a trend we need to pay attention to and think about what interventions the government can make now to ensure women have a good quality of life in residential care,” Dr Zhang says.
The study suggests several recommendations to improve the situation, including:
- Introducing overnight accommodation for relatives
- Creating more family-friendly visiting spaces
- Increasing government investment in services tailored for women in aged care
Dr Zhang stresses the importance of these improvements, stating, “Aged care is the last resource for most people when they can no longer manage at home, and it’s important for them to feel as positive about it as possible.”
The research also highlights the growing preference for home-based care, with a 246% increase in people receiving in-home care between 2011 and 2021. This trend suggests that continued investment in home-based care services could help seniors remain in their homes longer, potentially reducing the time spent in residential care facilities.
As Australia’s ageing population continues to grow, with projections indicating 6.7 million people aged between 65 and 85 years old by 2042, addressing these issues has become increasingly crucial for ensuring the quality of life for all seniors, particularly single women.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
