Nursing homes : policy issues

Abstract

The looming explosion in social care poses formidable challenges for policy makers in the gerontological arena. Policies, programs and services that reflect the interests of our older population, families of older people, workers in the aged care industry, and the community at large (tax payers) would ideally exhibit characteristics of equity and efficiency, accessibility and accountability, and most elusively of all, wide acceptability. Our residential care system which provides sheltered and supported accommodation for disabled people both young and old, is on the verge of significant and monumental change. The Commonwealth Department of Community Services has made admirable moves in identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the present system, gathering vast amounts of data, and considering sympathetically and humanely how people requiring residential care can live with dignity and have services appropriate to their needs.