The Australian government’s decision to postpone the implementation of the new Aged Care Act from July to November has ignited widespread demands for additional home care packages. In response, they are calling on the newly-elected Labor government to address the rapidly-increasing waitlist for these critical services. Currently, over 87,000 Australians wait languishing for a home care package. Experts are concerned that this figure could reach 100,000 by the new implementation date.
The federal government’s response was to pledge an 83,000 new home care packages. Amid recent delays, many have come to doubt this commitment. The current situation has left numerous older Australians without adequate support, with some individuals waiting as long as a year for their necessary services. Talking about the home care package, since September we have been averaging only around 2,700 new releases of home care packages per week. This increase primarily occurs due to recipients dying or moving into residential aged care facilities.
Rising Concerns Over Waitlist Numbers
This rapidly accumulating backlog in home care packages has caused considerable consternation within the aged care sector. Industry leaders and advocates are right to be concerned about the downstream effects of such a massive waitlist. As highlighted by independent Senator David Pocock, “They shouldn’t have to wait for someone to die before being able to access a package.”
These reports have documented a series of “horror stories” of people who have languished on the waitlist. Too many of them suffer through months or years without any income to keep them afloat. With many older Australians in extreme distress as they wait for help to arrive, now is the time to take action on this urgent issue.
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae addressed the concerns, indicating that the additional packages would become available within 12 months from November. Rae highlighted that “high priority” applicants would get help in under 30 days. This support is intended to relieve some short-term stress on the system.
Political Pressure Intensifies
The politics around aged care are getting more toxic by the day. Shadow Aged Care Minister Anne Ruston criticized the government’s handling of the situation, stating, “Anthony Albanese and his government have abandoned older Australians who need support to stay independent in their own homes.” Ruston went on to claim that the government’s delays represent a broken promise on the 83,000 new packages.
In the wake of this crisis, local leaders from across the political spectrum are coming together to demand better. As he did in Muchea, Pocock is working with the Greens and Coalition members to push further action. They’re calling for a minimum of 20,000 more packages to be offered right away. These calls reflect a growing consensus that immediate action is necessary to address the needs of older Australians in distress.
Inquiry Into Delayed Implementation
In response to the deepening crisis in aged care, politicians will hold an emergency parliamentary inquiry. Here’s what the inquiry will examine. This is a timely inquiry into the impact of implementation delay Aged Care Act. This consultation is a great opportunity to find these improvements and make sure older Australians get the help they need – when they need it, and not a second longer.
Penny Allman-Payne, an aged care advocate, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “Months stuck on the aged care waitlist means going without help to shower, to feed yourself, to have a safe and clean home.” She put the reality starkly, saying people are “dying waiting,” calling for an urgent need for reforms in the system to be immediate and transformational.
