Australian & New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine

14/04/2026

Are we properly identifying the support needs of older Australians?

The ANZSGM is concerned that the current My Aged Care Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) may be missing early signs of frailty and complex health needs. This matters because assessment is what determines the support someone receives.

If needs aren’t fully recognised at the start, people may not get enough help. That can lead to more hospital visits, faster health decline and earlier entry into residential aged care.

Many common issues in older people, like poor nutrition, sensory problems, or gradual frailty, don’t always show up clearly in standard assessments. We believe the assessment tool needs targeted clinical improvements to better capture these risks.

This isn’t about redesigning the system. It’s about making sure it works as intended so older Australians get the right care at the right time.

Better assessment means better care, and better outcomes.

Read the full position and letter to the Minister on the ANZSGM website:

ANZSGM is increasingly concerned that the My Aged Care Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), in its current form, risks under-identifying frailty, functional vulnerability, and clinical complexity in…

20/02/2026

We welcome the release of COTA Australia’s State of the Older Nation 2025 report.

The report highlights challenges many older Australians are facing, including difficulty accessing healthcare, rising costs, long waiting times, and delays in home care. These issues have real impacts on health, independence, and wellbeing.

As geriatricians, we see first-hand how timely healthcare and appropriate support can help older people age well and avoid unnecessary decline. The findings reinforce the need for fairer, better coordinated health and aged care systems that put older people at the centre of care.

ANZSGM looks forward to working with COTA Australia and others to support practical solutions that improve outcomes for older Australians.

Read our full response here: https://anzsgm.org/anzsgm-response-to-the-cota-state-of-the-older-nation-2025-report/

Read COTA Australia’s State of the Older Nation 2025 report here: https://cota.org.au/report/state-of-the-older-nation-soton-2025-report/

ANZSGM welcomes the release of COTA Australia’s State of the Older Nation 2025 (SOTON) report and recognises the important role COTA plays in representing and amplifying the voices of older…

30/01/2026

ANZSGM response to the Inspector-General of Aged Care’s submission to the Senate Inquiry on Aged Care Rules 2025

ANZSGM has released a statement supporting the submission of the Inspector-General of Aged Care to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Aged Care Rules 2025. This submission outlines the Inspector-General of Aged Care’s views on key Aged Care Rules 2025 provisions for the Senate Committee’s review. It focuses on rights-based, person-centred care, including reducing and eliminating restrictive practices.

While the Aged Care Act 2024 represents important progress, ANZSGM agrees that the Rules, as currently drafted, do not yet provide sufficient clinical, ethical, or human rights safeguards for older people with complex needs.

Our response highlights the need for:
- All aged care workers to uphold the full Statement of Rights
- Mandated training in dementia care and cultural safety
- A clear legislative focus on reducing and eliminating restrictive practices, supported by independent clinical oversight

ANZSGM believes these changes are essential to delivering safe, high-quality, and genuinely rights-based care for older Australians.

Read the ANZSGM's Full Statement here: https://anzsgm.org/response-to-the-inspector-general-of-aged-cares-submission-to-the-aged-care-rules-2025-senate-inquiry/

Read the OIGAC's Full Submission here: https://www.igac.gov.au/resources/submission-aged-care-rules-2025-senate-inquiry

28/01/2026

The Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine (ANZSGM) congratulates Professor Henry Brodaty AO on being named the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year, recognising his outstanding contribution to advancing the diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia in Australia and internationally.

ANZSGM President, Professor Sue Kurrle AO, said Professor Brodaty’s career has had a profound and lasting impact on older people, their families and the clinicians who care for them.

“Professor Brodaty has been a driving force in transforming dementia care from an insufficiently supported area of practice into one grounded in strong evidence, compassion and respect for older people,” Professor Kurrle said.

“His leadership has shaped clinical practice, informed policy and inspired generations of geriatricians, psychiatrists, researchers and health professionals across Australia and beyond.

“At a time when dementia is the leading cause of death in Australia, Professor Brodaty’s work underscores the importance of investing in brain health, prevention, early diagnosis and high-quality care throughout later life.

“His career reminds us that improving outcomes for older people requires long-term commitment, collaboration across disciplines and a deep respect for the lived experience of people with dementia and those who care for them.”

ANZSGM also congratulates all the finalists for Senior Australian of the Year, acknowledging their significant contributions to communities across the country.

“The achievements of this year’s finalists reflect the enormous social, cultural and economic contributions older Australians continue to make,” Professor Kurrle said.

“These awards send a powerful message that leadership, innovation and impact do not diminish with age.”

22/12/2025

The Inspector-General of Aged Care’s Review of My Aged Care confirms what geriatricians, older people and families have been saying for years: the front door to aged care is too hard to find, too complex to navigate, and least accessible for those with the greatest need.

ANZSGM strongly supports the Inspector-General’s findings and the seven priority areas for reform, including improved public awareness, reduced system complexity, stronger workforce capability, and better access to navigational and face-to-face supports.

From a geriatric medicine perspective, delays and barriers in My Aged Care have real clinical consequences. They contribute to functional decline, prolonged hospital stays, carer distress, and inequitable access to essential supports, particularly for people living with frailty, cognitive impairment, disability, cultural or linguistic barriers, or limited digital access.

We welcome the opportunity this review presents and look forward to working with government, sector partners, older people and their families to help design and implement a system that is genuinely accessible, rights-based, and fit for purpose.

Read ANZSGM’s full response here: https://anzsgm.org/response-to-the-inspector-general-of-aged-cares-2025-my-aged-care-review/

Read OIGAC's full review here: https://www.igac.gov.au/collections/my-aged-care-review

11/12/2025

More than a thousand patients are stranded in NSW hospitals, with the state government saying that many of them are waiting for federally funded aged care or disability support.

Highlighting the complexity of a system funded by both the Commonwealth and the states and territories, ANZSGM President, Sue Kurrle, warns that nationwide bed blocks require more residential aged-care beds, not simply extra home-care packages.

"It's not just numbers, it's people." - Sue Kurrle, ANZSGM President.

🎧Listen to the full interview here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/aged-care-experts-call-for-more-beds-to-address-hospital-backlog/106128320

More than a thousand patients are stranded in New South Wales hospitals, with the state government saying that many of them are waiting for federally funded aged care or disability support. The ANZSGM President, Sue Kurrle, warns that nationwide bed blocks require more residential aged-care beds, no...

06/11/2025

Geriatricians are seeing first-hand how the thousands of older Australians on assessment wait-lists are being denied timely support and dignity.

Families and insiders say Australia’s aged care crisis is deepening.
➡️ 116,000 people waiting to be assessed.
➡️ 120,000+ waiting for home care packages.

Many families are at breaking point as older Australians are having to queue to join the queue for the care they deserve.

Read the full story here:

Families and insiders say the system to assess people for aged care is in crisis, with 116,000 people on the waiting list. Once approved, they join the queue to get a home care package, which stands at more than 120,000.

14/08/2025

ACSQHC has released new guidance to support clinicians in the day to day use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools 👇

REPOST: has the potential to enhance the quality of care. See our new resources with practical guidance on how to use AI technologies safely and responsibly when providing care.

safetyandquality.gov.au/AI

08/08/2025

🖊️Frailty Nexus: Community of practice for frailty researchers and healthcare professionals - There has been success in implementing frailty education for healthcare professionals, but there remains a need to improve the knowledge and skills of researchers and healthcare professionals to develop, implement and evaluate frailty-focused research.

Read the full article here:

24/07/2025

📣 Webinar: From Research to Translation: Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing- MRFF is holding a webinar to provide information on the priorities of the MRFF’s Dementia, Ageing & Aged Care Mission, the 2025 Dementia, Ageing & Aged Care Mission grant opportunity, a recent review of the Mission & considerations from relevant policy areas.

Date: Fri, Aug 08
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM GMT+10
Online event - Learn more and register here: e824223d-e997-44ca-a9af-40dc598f2515@34a3929c-73cf-4954-abfe-147dc3517892" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e824223d-e997-44ca-a9af-40dc598f2515@34a3929c-73cf-4954-abfe-147dc3517892

22/07/2025

📣Call for Abstracts!
We are pleased to invite you to submit an abstract for the ANZSGM NZ Retreat 2025.

Date: Thursday 13 Nov to Saturday 15 Nov 2025
Venue: The Hilton Hotel, Auckland.

Find further details about the retreat and register here: www.anzsgm25.nz

10/06/2025

Monash Uni has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to update the 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia.

Join this third webinar to find out how people impacted by dementia are contributing to the development and implementation of the guidelines.

Date: Thursday 26 June
Register here: https://monash.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1p2KBtzdRSaBHhJ7AjiUrA #/registration