Catholic Health Australia is calling for reforms in the next federal Budget to ensure people in financial hardship do not fall through the cracks and miss out on safe and quality care under the new Aged Care Act.
The peak body, which represents 350 aged care facilities and around 20 per cent of home services around the country, supports fair contributions to aged care costs for those who can afford it, but is calling for an improved safety net for those who can’t.
“While we welcome the reforms of the Aged Care Act, we must keep working to ensure that aged care remains accessible for everyone, not just those with the deepest pockets,” said CHA chief executive Jason Kara.
“We are concerned the current safety nets in place are inadequate and will potentially see thousands of disadvantaged people miss out on the care they need.”
In its pre-budget submission, Catholic Health Australia is calling on the Government to increase the accommodation supplement, which helps aged care providers support financially disadvantaged residents.
The maximum supplement is $69.49 per day, yet the actual cost of providing aged care accommodation is 65 per cent higher, averaging $114.79 per day.
“The current supplement simply does not cover costs,” Mr Kara said. “Without an increase, aged care providers will be unable to sustain quality residential care for low-means older Australians.”
CHA believes the Government must also set maximum timeframes for Services Australia to process hardship applications.
“The Government must urgently provide detail on hardship provisions and set maximum timeframes to ensure no one gets left behind while waiting to find out if they qualify,” Mr Kara said.
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Aged Care needs greater protections for people in financial hardship (CHA)
