aged care

Government delays Support at Home price caps

The federal government has delayed introducing price caps for the Support at Home program, citing market instability, while announcing new…

New standards framework for digital health

The new National Framework for Digital Health Standards sets consistent rules for digital health systems, with experts urging that older…

Choir creates community for ageing migrants

In a Fremantle community hall, an Italian choir is helping older migrants living with dementia reconnect with memory, identity and…

Australians wait 12 months for aged care

A new federal report shows older Australians are now waiting more than a year for aged care support, with experts…

“More to be done” for dementia

Dementia experts have welcomed the federal government’s funding boost for specialist programs but warn it must be matched by stronger,…

Australia’s pandemic preparedness tested

The MV Hondius outbreak, which killed three passengers, has revived memories of the Ruby Princess disaster, but experts say swift…

Budget 2026/27: Major gaps remain in aged care

Aged care providers and advocates have welcomed major Budget investments, including free personal care services and expanded dementia support, while…

Experts call for yearly frailty screening

A new national framework is calling for annual frailty screening for Australians over 65, with researchers urging stronger focus on…

Taser cop’s actions ‘not justified’, inquest told

An inquest into the death of 95‑year‑old Clare Nowland has heard that both a police officer and a paramedic believed…

Inspector-General of aged care resigns

Inspector‑General of Aged Care Natalie Siegel Brown will step down on 31 July 2026, citing expanded international responsibilities and the…

Federal Budget: Everything we know so far

Strengthening the economy, tackling intergenerational inequity and building Australia’s resilience are among the key themes of the government’s forthcoming federal…

Calls for input into dementia guidelines

The first major overhaul of Australia’s dementia guidelines since 2016 is now open for public consultation, with Monash University seeking…

Report reveals aged care VAD failures

A new national report has found that most aged‑care providers are failing to support residents’ access to voluntary assisted dying,…

NSW launches inquiry into hospital bed block crisis

A landmark inquiry will examine why more than 900 elderly patients are stranded in NSW hospitals awaiting aged‑care placements, as…

Vic budget boosts aged care

The Victorian Budget delivers a sweeping $3.9 billion boost to the state’s health system, expanding aged care, hospital upgrades, emergency…

Medical AI advancing faster than safety checks

New research shows advanced AI models can match or exceed doctors on diagnostic tasks, but Flinders University experts warn these…

Cultural competency doesn’t equal better nursing: Study

A study of nurses in New Zealand has found that while awareness and reflection on cultural assumptions improves performance, deeper…

Sector responds to new $3bn aged care package

Aged‑care organisations have praised the government’s commitment to new beds, capital subsidies and expanded dementia services, but caution that long‑term…

Online trial helps older adults cut risky drinking

A major Australian trial has found that an online program designed for older adults can significantly reduce risky drinking, offering…

Aged care funding misses one key point

The removal of personal‑care fees has been welcomed by advocates, but the shift also raises questions about how Australia funds…

Home-care co-payment for showering scrapped

Essential daily‑living supports will become free under Support at Home from October, following sustained pressure from advocates that argued older…

How computers still decide who gets care

Aged‑care assessors say the new Integrated Assessment Tool “handcuffs” their professional judgement, as hundreds of older Australians report being downgraded…

Aged care model needs rethinking: Opinion

Despite major reforms, older Australians are waiting weeks for assessment and more than 200 days for services, while operators warn…

Older Australians to receive free RSV vaccine from May

Eligible Australians aged 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over, will soon receive…

Alzheimer’s drugs are not the breakthrough promised: Review

A review of more than 20,000 participants found that plaque‑clearing Alzheimer’s drugs offer minimal clinical benefit and carry notable safety…