Ahead of the Federal Budget, Anglicare Australia has warned that older Australians on low incomes could miss out on care unless the Government strengthens funding for aged care reforms.
Anglicare Australia’s plan for the next Federal Budget, A Fairer Australia, calls for:
- More funding so aged care providers are not forced to turn away older people who cannot afford to pay large accommodation costs
- Investment in entry-level home support so older people can get help before they reach crisis
- Stronger funding for care coordination, so older people can get the right support at home and avoid unnecessary moves into residential care.
Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said reform will fail if older Australians are left behind.
“Older people want to age with dignity. They want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, and they want to know that when they need care, it will be there,” Ms Chambers said.
“Right now, providers are under pressure. When government funding doesn’t match the real cost of care, services are forced to make tough decisions. That makes it harder for older people to get a place in residential aged care.”
“If this isn’t fixed, the people who miss out will be those with the least – older renters, people who’ve worked in low-paid jobs, and women who retire with little super.”
Ms Chambers said the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, which provides basic help like meals, transport and domestic assistance, is already stretched.
“For many older Australians, this is the difference between coping and crisis. It’s what keeps people independent.
“When that support is cut back, older people fall through the cracks. They end up in hospital or moving into residential care earlier than they should.”
“If we don’t invest in this support, more people will end up needing more intensive and more expensive care.”
Ms Chambers also said that reforms will only be successful if Government communicates its decisions clearly with older people and their families directly.
“Right now, the burden of explaining why people are missing out on care is falling onto frontline services.
“The best way to give people confidence in our aged care system is for the Government to take responsibility for its decisions and communicate clearly with older people, so they know where they stand and what support they can expect.”