AUSTRALIA | The Senate inquiry into Home Care packages has been supported by National Seniors Australia, particularly in relation to the upcoming reforms.
National Seniors Australia has welcomed a Senate inquiry into Home Care packages to examine the impact of delaying the Support at Home program and withholding new Home Care packages.
National Seniors Australia Chief Executive Officer Chris Grice said while the peak consumer body understands the need to delay commencement of the new Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, this doesn’t mean the government needs to delay the release of new packages, promised to be released from July 1.
“The new Aged Care Act acknowledges older people want to stay in their own homes for longer so they can remain healthy, active, and socially connected. It also acknowledges older Australians increasingly want the freedom, support, and choice to remain in the home and community they love,” Grice said.
“These inspiring ideals, to help older Australians remain safe and independent in their own homes as they age, are not possible without the urgent release of more home care packages.”
Grice said that while the wait list decreased since June 2019, wait times have shot up since 2023, with approximately 88,000 people now waiting for a home care package.
He added that it was vital for the industry to remember that when it's talking about packages, it's talking about people.
“Vulnerable people in desperate need of support at home; support to stay out of aged care; support to leave hospital; support to relieve family members who have become carers, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say support they need to survive,” said Grice.
He said these 88,000 older Australians are why National Seniors Australia supports the Senate inquiry and why it has called for the immediate increase in home care packages to reduce the wait list to 25,000 people.
“Clearing the wait list was a recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission, and one National Seniors Australia sees as a top priority for the Federal Government. We support the Senate inquiry and look forward to making a submission on behalf of every older Australian waiting for care, their families, and carers.”
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