Welfare Systems and Services for the Elderly: A Critical Evaluation. Australia's population is ageing rapidly, with the number of people aged 65 and over projected to reach 8.8 million by 2057 [Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2017]. This demographic shift places a significant burden on welfare systems designed to support the elderly. This essay will identify the key welfare systems and services available to older Australians, analyse the resources and support offered, and critically evaluate their effectiveness based on research evidence and inquiries. Welfare Systems and Services for the Elderly Australia's welfare system for the elderly is a multifaceted one, encompassing various income support programs, home and community …show more content…
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities may face challenges navigating the system due to language barriers or cultural differences in expectations of care. Similarly, those with lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have limited access to technology needed to access information or online services [National Seniors Australia, 2023]. Social Isolation Socioeconomic disadvantage can increase the risk of social isolation among the elderly, highlighting the need for social support programs integrated with other services. Digital Divide Limited access to technology can hinder access to telehealth and online resources, further marginalizing disadvantaged populations. Comparison with Welfare Systems of Other Developed Countries Compared to other developed nations, Australia's welfare system for the elderly has some strengths and weaknesses: • Universal Age Pension: Unlike some countries with means-tested pensions, Australia provides a universal Age Pension, ensuring basic income security for most seniors. Focus on Home Care: Australia invests heavily in HACC services, reflecting a national policy preference for supporting seniors to remain at home for longer. Challenges in Residential Care: Concerns about staffing levels and quality of care in residential aged care facilities are not unique to Australia, but a shared challenge faced by …show more content…
Streamlining access to services, ensuring financial adequacy, and implementing reforms suggested by the Aged Care Royal Commission are crucial first steps. Embracing innovative models of care, fostering social connection, and learning from international best practices can further strengthen the system. Ultimately, a societal shift is required. Moving beyond a medicalized view of ageing and promoting opportunities for continued contribution and social participation is essential. The success of this system relies on collaboration. Policymakers, service providers, communities, families, and most importantly, older Australians themselves all have a role to play in building a future where everyone can age with dignity, security, and a sense of purpose. Through ongoing research, innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Australia can ensure its elderly population thrives alongside a supportive and inclusive
Another focus for change is that over the years the demand for home and community care over hospital care has continued to grow, as stated by the Queens nursing institute “Recent health policy points to the importance of improving and extending services to meet the health and care needs of an increasingly older population and provide services which may have previously been provided in hospital within community settings”.
...tion with the outside world and loss of their life style. Communities need to be educated on dementia so that as to include and create activities they can join in. The residential homes decision makers need to monitor the cares’ behaviour as they and address issues within their working environment to improve and keep everything up to standard. The government need to implement and review their policies to make ensure quality care in residential homes. According to United Kingdom Health and Social Care (UKHCA), (2012) and The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), have been working on introducing new guidance which will help dementia patient to get more funding to live in their own homes and avoid living in residential home which is a positive move as people will still enjoy the comfort of their homes and receive excellent care.
Certain cultures that live at or below the poverty line prefer this type of assistance for their elderly family members because it allows them to have someone meet them at their home. This convenience is a big factor and provides the elderly with a way to fulfill their communal culture by living out their time at home among family, while still receiving any necessary assistance for health checks or IADL’s. This improves their quality of life by meeting their needs in a different way. These alternative methods to older adult care are more popular among minorities and cultural groups (Bookman & Kimbrel, 2011). Bookman and Kimbrel acknowledge the gap between financial status as well as culture and race, they stated, “...because elders are widely diverse by race and socioeconomic status, their families attach differing cultural meanings to care and have widely different resources with which to accomplish their care goals” (2011). Thus, creating the large gap seen in nursing home facilities. Specifically, cultures like the Chinese who maintain traditions like filial piety, in which the adult children must care for their elderly parent (Li & Buechel, 2007). This type of culture defines the line between those who view nursing homes as ideal and those who prefer a separate
Before discussing the extent of poverty in Australia, it is first crucial to mention the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty. Absolute Poverty is a situation where deprivation is extreme because people do not have access to the basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. In contrast Relative Poverty is a situation in which the incidence of poverty is measured relative to things such as average weekly earnings or income per head. Therefore poverty, as talked about in Australia is the state where income is insufficient to meet the minimum needs of the household or individual.
Australia’s aging population is mainly the result of a boom in fertility rates during the post WWII period, also with an increase in life expectancy rates present at birth. However, as our aged population grows so does the number of higher risks for certain illnesses and diseases. In Australia, there are an increased percentage of aged people who are living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, which raises the demands for specific health care services, impacting on our health care system. With the high demands for the health-care services, there is a lack in financial resources in order to provide for these services, along with shortages within the workforce.
Since the Welfare reform law was introduced in 1996 it has impacted American society greatly. The new welfare policy, named the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), replaced the Aid to Family and Dependent Children (AFDC) program; they have five known differences that only affect the ones who need the assistance. Critics argue that the TANF has negatively impacted the society while some argue that it has not. Linda Burnham, author of “Welfare Reform, Family Hardship & Woman of Color,” asserts that “welfare reform has increased the hardship faced by many women leaving welfare for work and their movement into low-wage jobs, exposes them to higher level of housing insecurities, homelessness, food insecurity, and hunger.” She also argues that women of color “are especially vulnerable to the negative impact of welfare reform” (38).
The elderly is looked upon as the slowing generation, in terms of their deteriorating personal physical and mental health which restricts them from performing everyday life tasks before heading into retirement. With an estimated 20% of New Zealand’s population will be aged 65 years plus by 2026. There is also a huge part that society plays, which also affects them. These are known as social determinants. The social determinants of health are factors that influence the environment people are born into, live, work and age. This essay will be discussing three of these social determinants, income, housing and stress on the elderly population in New Zealand. More so, how these determinants impact on health inequalities, which are the differences
Currently, that figure stands at 810 million and is predicted to increase to 2 billion by 2050. (Wyldbore and Aldington, 2012) Due to this overwhelming burden of an ageing population in Australia there is a decrease in the accessibility of carers and volunteers. Carers might be expected to help with tasks of everyday living, for example: feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring or administering medications. In different circumstances, there may just be the requirement for help with transport, financial or emotional support. The aged living in households most commonly need assistance with property maintenance and health care because of
Welfare can be defined as “systems by which government agencies provide economic assistance, goods, and services to persons who are unable to care for themselves” (Issitt). The United States welfare system is an extremely complex and unique entity that encompasses ideas and concepts from an abundance of different places. Many people believe the current system is an excellent resource for the population, while others believe the current welfare system requires reform and budget cuts to become effective.
The poor are everywhere it seems. They are on the street corner, in the local 7 Eleven, and in the plaza. Sometimes I get sick of them and even angry with them when they pester me for money. I ask myself, "Is the best way to deal with poor, to give them money from my pocket?" It's obvious that other people have given them money from their pockets at different times. If no one had ever given them money, then these people wouldn't be standing here asking for money. The fact is, many poor people ask for money because they know they can get money that way. For most of the last 70 years our government has indirectly given the poor money from our pockets, through taxes and welfare. Not surprisingly, people have continued to ask for money. For most of those 70 years welfare fed the mentality that the best way to get money was to ask. I believe welfare as it was first started, failed miserably and created millions of dependents in poverty instead of independents above poverty. The welfare reform of 1996, I believe has helped the poor escape from the trap of poverty and is a more beneficial way of dealing with the poor.
There is more emphasis on elder abuse occurring in aged care facilities than in the wider community, including having compulsory reporting of abuse of older people in aged care, which was introduced by the Australian Government in the Aged Care Act in 2007. The act states that all ‘Registered nurses, enrolled nurses and assistants in nursing are required to report any suspected or actual abuse of an older person and must report to their employer or directly to the Police or the Department of Social Services’ (Sa.agedrights.asn.au, 2016). One of the biggest supporters fighting against elder abuse is a not-for-profit community based organisation, called The Aged Rights Advocacy Service Inc. (ARAS), who ‘promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of older people, through the provision of information, education, support and representation’ (Sa.agedrights.asn.au, 2016)
Social Care Institute for Excellence (2010). Adults Services: SCIE Guide 15 - Dignity in Care, Social Inclusion
Statistics Canada has reported, “In 2012, 8 million Canadians, or 28% of the population aged 15 and over, provided care to family members or friends with a long-term health condition, a disability or problems associated with aging.” The caregiver burden placed on people who must support their senior family members can result in economic hardship in their lives. A statistic relating to this states of regular caregivers, “[…] 28% who cared for a child and 20% who cared for a spouse experienced financial difficulties as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. This proportion was 7% among those who regularly helped their parents” (“Family caregiving,” 2013). While 7% does not seem that significant, it has the potential to grow in the future, especially as more of the population ages, lives longer, and more illness occur.
Wales now, therefore, has its own law-making process in twenty devolved areas, including health and social care (Welsh Government, 2012). The White Paper, Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action, published in 2011, emphasised a number of challenges that public services in Wales will face (Welsh Assembly Government, 2011, p. 20). Some of these challenges are: increase in population, increase in aging generation (over 65 years old), complexity of need, increased expectations, the resources available, and ongoing difficult economic realities. The White Paper Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action, highlighted the Welsh Government’s priorities for action to bring about ‘high quality responsive, citizen-centred social services’. Fundamental to the delivery of this action, is a partnership with service users and carers through the implementation in the design and delivery of services, this will help will ensure their voice are heard.
Aged care is becoming such a huge part of our health system and society in general. It is so important that we come to an understanding on not only how it affects the community and society that we live in but the requirements that need to be met in order to care for older adults. Throughout this paper, we will discuss active ageing and the cultural, physical, economic and social well-being of older adults, as well as the affect that community as on the older population and visa-vasa. Accompanying this essay is a flyer that well be used to define active ageing, why it is important to individuals and the community. It is important to understand what active ageing is and that health is measured by more than just physical