Internationally there is a recognized need to improve quality of life and care for older people and their families, whilst supporting the workforce to flourish in complex and changing environments. Health care reform is dependent on leaders who think in innovative ways and have the skills, attributes and courage that enable them to make change. In Australia, our research shows that overwhelmingly our older citizens want to stay at home for as long as possible, thus postponing or completely avoiding admission to residential care. This can be seen as a turning point for those driving the Government supported design of the future in-home program, due to be rolled out in 2023, and represents a significant change in focus, reform and investment from residential care to community care.
This ‘next generation’ in-home program aims to reform all aspects of service delivery, including improved flexibility for individuals based on integrated assessment of individual need, increased access to telehealth, assistive technologies and home modifications and a new funding model. What we are talking about is a major overhaul of the front end, bringing with it cultural change and the recognition that to succeed this change must be supported by leaders across education, research and practice at all levels.
So how do we best develop leaders to support the change required? From a workforce perspective, educators need to re-design existing educational programs to meet the growing demand for interdisciplinary professionals at all levels working in community care, including medicine, nursing, allied health, legal and financial services and social care. From a health economics perspective older people need to be supported to age well by considering how best to make their investment in their future at the front end for themselves and their families. From a research, evaluation and quality improvement perspective, innovations such as the recently launched QOL-ACC assessment tool that measures quality of life as a key clinical and economic indicator in aged care, will support the quality of life and wellbeing of Australians from the front end as they navigate their ageing journey. Effective leadership development will also play a key role in bringing about positive change through consistent evaluation and review of these innovative programs.
Associate Professor Marguerite Bramble
President of AAG/Chair of AAG Board
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