- 15 June, 2006 -

One of the biggest long-term challenges facing the nation is providing care for the increasing number of elderly. Demand is increasing not only for beds in residential care, but also for services that allow elderly people to remain in their own homes. With this in mind, the Federal Government is looking at a major shake-up of the way it funds community care services through the introduction of a voucher system, in which funding would go directly to individuals rather than to aged care organisations. But this voucher system could also open the door for private for-profit companies, and is being championed by a giant US aged care franchise Home Instead that is hoping to expand its business in Australia.

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