Care of older Australians is an exciting and growing area of general practice care.  By 2044 the proportion of 80 year olds is expected to treble, from 3.3% of the population to 9.7%.  This will exert substantial pressure on general practitioners and aged care facilities that provide care.

Today, 13% of Australians are over 65 years.  Of these, 6% are living in residential aged care facilities.   These residents often have significant health needs.  For example, 80% of residents in aged care facilities have some sensory loss, 60% have dementia, between 40 - 80% experience chronic pain, 50% experience urinary incontinence, 45% have sleep disorders, up to 40% have depression and 30% have experienced a fall.

The Silver Book is designed to provide guidance to both novice and > experienced general practitioners who choose to work with people living in residential aged care.  As a secondary audience, nurses and other staff working in aged care facilities, other health professionals working with residents and members of the Divisions Network will find the book useful.

Working in residential aged care is a challenging and rewarding experience, providing opportunities for multidisciplinary care. The 4th edition of the RACGP Silver Book will be useful for those general practitioners who are members of Aged Care Panels as well as those who provide individual patient care.  There are assessment principles as well as support tools, advice on the management of common clinical conditions and organisational templates to support quality improvement.