As part of the Australian government's $3.7 billion Living Longer Living Better long-term care reform package, Minister for Ageing Mark Butler announced $10.2 million in funding for 26 projects to better prepare the workforce that provides basic care to older Australians. The projects will focus on better integrating this workforce—which assists with nutrition and personal care—with health care providers like general practitioners, pharmacists, and other health professionals to improve safe medication management, residential aged care, the prevention of functional decline in the community, and care coordination.
Living Longer Living Better is the government's 10-year plan to deliver more choice and control, easier access, and better quality care for older Australians and their families. Other key developments include the establishment of the Aged Care Financing Authority to advise the government on pricing and financing issues across the long-term care sector and the establishment of integrated long-term care teaching centers across Australia.
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