Appendix H - Economic Assessment

Dementia and Respite Care
In 2016, people with dementia accounted for 52% of all residents in residential aged care facilities. Applying
this incidence rate to residential aged care demand, RPS Economics estimates current need of 505
dementia places. By 2036, there will be demand of approximately 860 dementia places (up 356 dementia
places).
                                             1,000

                                              900

                                              800

                                              700
                           Places (Demand)




                                              600

                                              500

                                              400

                                              300

                                              200

                                              100

                                                0
                                                     2018
                                                            2019
                                                                   2020
                                                                          2021
                                                                                 2022
                                                                                        2023
                                                                                               2024
                                                                                                      2025
                                                                                                             2026
                                                                                                                    2027
                                                                                                                           2028
                                                                                                                                  2029
                                                                                                                                         2030
                                                                                                                                                2031
                                                                                                                                                       2032
                                                                                                                                                              2033
                                                                                                                                                                     2034
                                                                                                                                                                            2035
                                                                                                                                                                                   2036
                                                                                               Dementia               Respite

Figure 6        Residential Aged Care Demand, Dementia and Respite Places, Catchment, 2018 to 2036 4

Similarly, 16.9% of residents in residential aged care facilities received respite care in 2017. Applying this
incidence rate to residential aged care demand, RPS Economics estimates current need of 164 respite
places. By 2036, there will be demand of approximately 280 respite places (up 116 respite places).


On a National level, “residential respite care is not being met5.” A recent study undertaken by Carers
Australia identified low availability, high care needs and affordability as the main barriers to respite care take-
up. Conversely, the study found that respite care could be improved with the provision of:
    Cottage style accommodation;
    Overnight or weekend respite; and
    Secure respite for dementia and others with high needs.
The study stressed the need for cottage style and/or other short term residential respite to alleviate the
pressure on residential respite places and, more importantly, give carers and consumers greater choice in
the types of accommodation that best suits their needs, the length of stay that is needed and an option for
care in their local community (particularly in rural, regional and remote locations).




4 ABS (2017), Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2016, Cat. No. 3235.0, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra
DA (2018), Key facts and statistics, accessed at https://www.dementia.org.au/statistics, on 15 May 2018
PC (2018), Report on Government Services 2018, Productivity Commission, Canberra
QGSO (2017), Projected Population (medium series), by statistical area level 2 (SA2), SA3 and SA4, Queensland, 2011 to 2036,
Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, Brisbane
5 CA (2017), Improving access to aged residential respite care, Carers Australia, Deakin




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