A recent report has shown that older Australians don’t trust the Aged Care sector, seeing the industry as shady and opaque.
The 2019 Inside Aged Care report, conducted by consultancy Faster Horses, found that just 12% of Australians over 60 trusted the industry, compared to 17% from last year’s study.
The study also found that just 20% of all Australians – regardless of age group – trusted the Aged Care sector, and only 13% thought they were “open and transparent”.
The consultancy’s Veronica Mayne said that while the Royal Commission has shone a light on the regulation practices within the industry, it has not been enough to improve the sector’s standing within the community.
The drop in the sector’s perception comes in light of the Royal Commission and recent media stories covering the industry’s practices, as well as recent drops in community perception towards institutions as a whole.
The study’s findings highlight the need for Aged Care providers to provide certainty to consumers through transparent taxation and care practices, as well as the implementation of measurable standards such as staff-to-resident ratios.