The number of Australians waiting for a home care package has increased to more than 68,000, with departmental officials conceding it is becoming harder to access the scheme. Source: ABC News.
Home care packages (HCP) allow older Australians to access a range of services in their own home, to either delay or avoid moving into residential aged care. Supports can include nursing, food preparation, assistance with personal hygiene and cleaning.
Senate estimates were told that by the end of last month, 68,109 people had been approved for a home care package but were waiting for the support.
That’s more than double the 28,665 people waiting for a home care package at roughly the same time last year.
The list has been steadily growing, reaching about 51,000 people by December.
The Department of Health and Aged Care’s Russell Herald said it had become harder for people to access the level of care they had been approved for, particularly in the last six months.
Mr Herald said it was unclear why there had been a significant change, but he believed the increased demand to the cost of living may be a factor.
Earlier this year, the government announced an extra 24,100 home care packages would be offered in 2024-25, and Aged Care Minister Anika Wells claims those classified as needing urgent care are receiving home care packages within a month.
Last month, Catholic Health Australia called for more home care and Commonwealth Home Support packages amid surging demand driven by an ageing population and changing consumer preference towards ageing in their own homes.
“Funding for more home care packages is much needed and long overdue as more elderly Australians seek care at home,” CHA chief executive Jason Kara said.
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The number of older Australians waiting for a home care package has increased to over 68,000 (By Stephanie Borys, ABC News)
