Older Aussies are still waiting a year or longer for the Federal Government’s higher level three and four home care packages, according to the latest data on the program.
For a level one or two package, the waiting time is three to nine months.
Worryingly, around 33,000 people with high care needs had not been assigned any care at all.
At agedcare101, we often hear from frustrated family members frustrated with the time taken to secure a package.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt has promised the number of packages will hit 151,000 by 2021 – including 34,000 more high-level packages – but with around 40 per cent of aged care places predicted to be in home care by 2021, we don’t think it’s enough.
Action needed now
The aged care peak bodies and seniors’ groups are calling for an immediate release of more high-level packages and a better prioritisation process.
If the Government wants more of us to stay at home – rather than move into aged care – they need to make it happen.
It’s a reminder too that we do need to prepare earlier. None of us like to think about losing our independence – or needing care in our homes – but it does take time to be assessed.
In the interim, we may have to rely on family, friends or privately funded care for help. If you think you or your loved one may require support in the future, talk to your family now and do your research – it could save you a lot of stress later on.
You can find out more about planning for home care here.
