Anglicare Australia is calling on the Federal Government to urgently invest in reducing aged care wait times, as tonight’s Four Corners investigation exposes the consequences of leaving older Australians waiting for the support they need.
Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said The Waiting Game investigation shows an aged care system that is rationing support while older people and their families wait months for help.
“Older Australians are being left waiting for the care they need. Many have their health worsen while they wait. Some are ending up in hospital. And tragically, some are dying before their care ever arrives.
“For others, the new algorithm is failing to recognise the level of support they need. They are then forced to seek reviews, reassessments or make complaints while their health and wellbeing continue to worsen.
“Older people should not have to fight the system to prove that they need care, and then wait months to receive it. Instead of relying on an algorithm to ration care, the Government should be investing enough to make sure people can actually get the support they need.
“An algorithm cannot solve a shortage of care. It cannot create more home care places, and it cannot make months of waiting acceptable.
“Delaying home care also comes at a cost. When people cannot get support at home, their health can worsen, families and carers are put under pressure, and people can end up needing residential or hospital care. Those options are much more expensive, and most people prefer to live out their final years at home.
“The Government has an opportunity to fix this. We are calling for an urgent investment to bring these enormous waiting times down and make sure funding keeps pace with the number of older people who need support.
“Anglicare Australia and our services stand ready to work with the Government to roll out additional places and get care to older Australians as quickly as possible.
“Older Australians have waited long enough. If they have been assessed as needing care, they should receive it.”