Aged care issues and services in Australia.
BACKGROUND
This paper examines aged care issues and the provision of aged care services in Australia.


METHODS
A Medline search and review of Australian government publications was undertaken and complemented by a review of local Australian resources.


RESULTS
Australia has seen major development of aged care services over the last 60 years. These services were originally focused on a residential care model, but have since evolved to become a mixed provision of services that are shaped by legislative or regulatory requirements. Geriatric health services are well-developed in some parts of Australia, with a comprehensive regional service that includes hospital-based and community-based components (including an Aged Care Assessment Team).


CONCLUSIONS
The rapidly ageing population in Australia is exerting pressure on the aged care system and geriatric health services. A major identified problem with available services is their fragmentation and limited co-ordination.
Cameron
I D
ID
Rehabilitation Studies Unit, University of Sydney, PO Box 6, Ryde, NSW 1680, Australia. ianc@mail.usyd.edu.au
D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health