Aged care has been failing for years – coronavirus has merely highlighted systemic problems | Sarah Russell

Authorities want to be seen to be doing something. But for many residents it’s too little, far too lateOur residential aged care system is a national disgrace. The corporatisation of aged care unleashed by the Aged Care Act in 1997 has been an abject failure. Our government now spends some $20bn a year on aged care. Yet, without financial transparency, we don’t know if providers spend government subsidies on direct care of residents or executive salaries.The problems plaguing aged ca