specialty focus
This is contributing to a massive boom in aged care services that are targeted at allowing people to age in place , which often creates more reliance on family members for unpaid care and support .
Much of the responsibility has fallen on the ‘ sandwich generation ’ – those caring for their children and their parents .
While these family members increasingly take on caring responsibilities , the government fails to recognise them as formal carers and thus excludes them from any standard support and compensation .
As a result , this generation continues to face unprecedented financial , emotional , and time-related challenges , worsened by a lack of governmental recognition .
The heartfelt , almost universal desire of the elderly to spend their twilight years within the walls of their homes is more than just a personal choice .
Their carers are now thrust into an overwhelming vortex , struggling to provide their ageing loved ones with the necessary care , while simultaneously juggling work , life , and often , the demands of raising a younger generation .
Australia ’ s post-pandemic strategy of bringing overseas workers aimed at addressing health workforce shortages certainly helped , but the idea that we can simply ‘ import ’ our way out of this issue is unrealistic .
The reality is stark : every developed nation is vying for the same pool of younger immigrants .
In this global tug-of-war , relying on skilled workforce migration as our lifeline is not merely short-sighted but perilously naive .
A CALL FOR DIGNITY As the Australian population continues to age , we are not just on the brink of a challenge – we ’ re facing an impending crisis .
The economic ramifications of this is clear , but it is not just a matter of numbers and statistics ; these are signs of a seismic shift that will shake the very foundations of Australian families .
In this profound moment of national reckoning , the response from governmental corridors has been , at best , an echoing silence .
The conspicuous absence of a clear , actionable roadmap to address the surging demand for in-home care stands testament to a disturbing trend – one of selfish policymaking .
Technology can definitely help make healthcare more accessible , but the onus shouldn ’ t only be on private companies or individuals to solve this challenge .
Mark Woodland is the founder and chief of Australian health tech company , Kismet . Image : supplied .
Instead , we must come together to drive real change .
We are at a crossroads , one that demands more than stop-gap measures or fleeting strategies .
Our ageing populace deserves dignity , care , and quality of life .
The need for a holistic , well-thought-out strategy has never been more urgent . ■
Mark Woodland is the founder and chief of Australian health tech company , Kismet
agedcareinsite . com . au 21