Catholic Health Australia has welcomed the commencement of the new Aged Care Act this Saturday, describing it as a historic reform that will help deliver quality care to older Australians.
“These are the most significant reforms to the aged care sector in three decades,” Alex Lynch, CHA’s director of aged and community care, said.
“The Aged Care Act strengthens the rights of older Australians, gives them more of a say in the care they receive and increases the expectations of providers in delivering high quality aged care services.”
While increasing the accountability of aged care providers, the reforms offer providers a more sustainable footing through a funding framework that better reflects the true cost of delivering care and supports them in meeting higher standards.
CHA said it will monitor trends for any unintended consequences of changes arising from the Act, particularly changes to consumer co-contributions.
“We will closely monitor whether the new consumer co-contribution framework causes older people to go without needed services,” Mr Lynch said.
“For example, our members would quickly identify if people receiving care at home started declining personal care, such as showering, because it attracts a consumer contribution.”
Similarly, CHA will monitor the impact of changes to provider funding to ensure the necessary resources are available to enable older Australians to age in place at home.
“We thank the Government and the Opposition for working together and delivering these changes in the national interest,” Mr Lynch said.
“CHA is supportive of these changes and optimistic that the positive transformation of aged care promised by the reforms can be realised.”
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