Technology is Critical in Solving Aged Care Crisis

Less than a year ago, CEDA released research estimating the need for an additional 17,000 aged care workers each year. Skills shortages and challenging circumstances have prompted CEDA to revisit these projections, with the result that they now expect an annual shortfall of 30,000 to 35,000 direct care workers.

If workforce shortages at this level continue, we will not have enough workers to meet the basic standards of care recommended by the Royal Commission. Miniscule levels of migration and increased levels of attrition in the sector, estimated to be around 65,000 workers a year, have exacerbated existing shortages. This is no longer a problem for the future, it is a critical issue that needs to be tackled immediately. “Importantly, meeting the goal of an extra 35,000 workers will only get Australian aged care to basic levels of care. Providing care levels at international best practice standard would require a further increase in the workforce. Filling this shortfall will not be achieved without determined and consistent effort which must start now.” said CEDA Senior Economist Cassandra Winzar.

Investing in new technologies to improve productivity was one of the key levers to addressing the critical staff shortages and making progress for the industry, CEDA said when discussing the future of the industry.

Technological innovation and digital tools must be harnessed and embraced by the Aged Care sector. Not only will it increase employee satisfaction and therefore retention by automating laborious processes normally conducted manually by overworked staff, but you will free up much-needed resources for higher-value activities like time spent with residents.

Read the full article and report from CEDA here.