Ageing Matters Podcast

Three struggling aged care facilities in Queensland’s lower Gulf have been transformed, giving First Nations elders the care and dignity they deserve. Under CEO Deborah Burden’s leadership, not-for-profit provider, selectAbility, brought its 27-year expertise in mental wellbeing and suicide prevention to the challenge, negotiating operational, capital, and workforce funding while prioritising cultural consultation with local councils and communities. 
Deborah has guided the organisation through major diversification, expanding beyond NDIS services into child safety and now aged care. 
selectAbility was named winner in the Organisation – Rural and Remote category at the 2025 ‘You are ACE!’ Aged Care Awards, presented by Ageing Australia. 
She explains how the team rebuilt trust, improved food quality, boosted community engagement, shifted from agency staff to local employment, and created welcoming, lively homes. The story shows that respectful consultation and proper resourcing can revitalise remote aged care services. 
selectAbility https://www.selectability.com.au/ 
Ageing Matters is proudly brought to you with the support of Ageing Australia ageingaustralia.asn.au 

As Australia enters the first full year under the new Aged Care Act, we examine the key policy, funding, and system challenges shaping the sector in  2026. Ageing Australia CEO, Tom Symondson, and General Manager, Policy & Advocacy, Roald Versteeg, reflect on the transition to the new legislative framework, ongoing implementation pressures, and the lessons learned from recent reforms. 
They discuss major Senate inquiries into the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the Aged Care Act, the future of support at home, and the growing crisis in residential aged care investability and bed supply. They highlight Ageing Australia’s advocacy approach, member engagement, and strategic priorities for the year ahead.
Ageing Matters is proudly brought to you with the support of Ageing Australia ageingaustralia.asn.au 

India is undergoing one of the fastest demographic shifts in the world. With its ageing population set to more than double to 347 million by 2040, the scale of change is reshaping how nations think about care, housing, workforce and investment for older people.
In this episode of Ageing Matters, we are joined by Mansur Dalal, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Association of Senior Living India, to explore what this transformation means - not only for India, but for Australia and the global ageing ecosystem. 
Drawing on his deep experience across senior living, investment and policy, Mansur explains why seniors living in India is “an idea whose time has come”, the urgent need for system design and workforce solutions, and how technology can help India leapfrog traditional models of care - without losing compassion. 
The conversation also explores the opportunities for Australian providers, investors and educators to partner with India across real estate, wellness, age-tech and workforce development, as well as Mansur’s call for a dedicated Indian Ministry for Seniors to respond to the needs of 147 million older people. 
This episode builds on insights shared in the Summer 2025 edition of Aged Care Today and continues Ageing Australia’s global conversation on ageing, innovation and sustainable care systems. 
Ageing Matters is proudly brought to you with the support of Ageing Australiaageingaustralia.asn.au 

With the new Aged Care Act now in effect, providers are navigating early implementation challenges and seeking clarity on what’s working and what still needs to settle. Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson and General Manager Policy and Advocacy Roald Versteeg unpack the key issues members are raising, emerging sector patterns, and what they’re hearing from government and agencies leading the transition. 
MORE INFORMATION 
https://ageingaustralia.asn.au/  membersupport@ageingaustralia.asn.au Ageing Australia 1300 222 721 Department of Health, Disability and Ageing  https://www.health.gov.au/