Research highlight: cost of aged care
We plan for aged care costs when we know the system.
Aged care costs are not at the top of older people’s planning priorities, with only 15% having plans in place.
At least, that was the finding of National Seniors Australia (NSA) research in 2021, running on the heels of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Former NSA research director, Professor John McCallum, described the figure as “alarmingly low” in media interviews at the time.
He partly attributed the low number to the reports of neglect and abuse in care that the Royal Commission exposed.
Our research showed there was variation among the 50+ population though.
Older age groups were more likely to have planned for aged care costs, as were those with higher education, regular budgeters, and wealthier people.
Notably, people already familiar with the aged care system were also more likely to have planned for their care costs.
That included people who had accessed aged care for themselves or a loved one. They were 175% more likely to have planned for costs.
It also included people who had already looked into future care options, familiarising themselves with the landscape. They were 325% more likely to have planned for costs.
Our report concluded, “This points to a service exposure-information-action pathway which reduces people’s hesitation to plan for care.”
To find out more, read the full report Planning for aged care costs: Hesitancy, ignorance and denial here.
