The national peak body for aged care providers is calling on the federal Government to provide urgent support to keep services running, as the Middle East war sends fuel prices skyrocketing. Source: ABC News.
Ageing Australia, which represents residential care, home care, retirement living and community care operators, wants older Australians and aged care workers prioritised in any government response to fuel prices and shortages.
The cost of fuel is already impacting the sector, according to Ageing Australia chief executive officer Tom Symondson.
“With fuel prices now sky high, we are seeing an increase in workers not taking up shifts as they struggle to pay for the fuel needed to get to work,” he said.
“Some [workers are] reporting their monthly fuel bill has increased by 50 per cent or more already.”
Mr Symondson has asked the federal Government to ensure aged care providers and workers get priority access to fuel, if there are shortages, and an exemption from any rationing measures that may be imposed.
He stressed the need for targeted financial support for aged care providers and their workers to manage the rise in fuel costs.
Ageing Australia’s concerns include the viability of services offered to older Australians living at home, with fears that support may be cut back if governments fail to intervene.
One of those services is Meals on Wheels, which delivers food and provides regular welfare checks to vulnerable older Australians.
Chair Paul Sadler has written to the Government to ask for help, amid concerns the rising cost of fuel may have a “substantial impact” on services.
A spokesman for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae acknowledged Commonwealth Home Support services, such as Meals on Wheels, were vital and said the Government was speaking directly with the sector to understand and monitor any risks to the delivery of services to older people, and to identify any potential supports if fuel pressures increase.
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Agencies warn elderly could suffer as fuel price rises hit aged care services (By Stephanie Borys, ABC News)
