ANF: Four times as many aged care nurses needed by 2050
Published: 1 February 2010
Australia will need a staggering four times as many aged care nurses by 2050 to care for the nation’s ageing population.
The Australian Nursing Federation’s Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said the government’s intergenerational report highlighted the importance of investing in the aged care sector.
“Given the government’s projection of 1.8 million people aged over 85 by 2050, the number of aged care residents in that age group will grow from just over 87,000 today to more than 400,000 by 2050.”
“Unless there is a serious injection of funding into the aged care sector people aged over 45-years-old right now who are expecting that there will be nurses to look after them when they are older may instead find themselves uncared for.
“Another major concern is the estimated 1.1 million people who will suffer dementia by 2050.”
“Without appropriate healthcare professionals in nursing homes, high-need residents will flood hospital emergency departments and more and more elderly Australians will languish in acute hospital beds for conditions that could have been managed more efficiently in their residence and with much less emotional trauma.
“Investing in the future of aged care nursing makes economic sense,” Ms Kearney said.
“The treasurer has outlined the need for smarter more efficient use of the health dollar as a measure to combat the challenge – a qualified and sufficient aged care workforce is the answer.
“Nurses are leaving the sector because they are being paid on average $300 less a week than their colleagues in other sectors. They feel that their work is undervalued. This report has shown that in fact nurses are not only a vital component in assuring Australians get the care they need, but are also economically prudent.”
“Let’s improve productivity in aged care by ensuring there are enough nurses and personal carers and they are paid what they are worth.”Contact:
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