The role of downsizing in home care

Summary: Effective and accessible home care can increase healthy life expectancy and reduce care burden. National Seniors believes downsizing to more suitable dwellings can facilitate aging in place. Means testing distorts housing and retirement decisions, creating incentives to overinvest in the family home. National Seniors advocates for reducing the Pension Loans Scheme interest rate to increase uptake. Removing means testing and implementing a universal pension could incentivize downsizing. Housing availability and appropriateness are key concerns for older Australians looking to downsize. National Seniors suggests innovative housing solutions to facilitate downsizing without being locked into village models. Downsizing is crucial for older Australians to age in place and finance care at home.