Ahead of the Federal Election next month, the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) – a group of 52 organisations including consumer groups, providers, unions and health professionals – has launched the Age Well campaign.
It’s calling for action on the struggling workforce and extensive home care waiting list.
While the Royal Commission will play a crucial role in guiding longer-term aged care reform, NACA believes the Government has a responsibility to address important problems that we need to get right now.
It’s asking all election candidates to commit to building our workforce through new policies and funding that will increase staff numbers and introduce a better skill mix in the sector.
Age Well is also calling on politicians to urgently address the growing wait list for home care packages (HCPs).
The Department of Health has told the Royal Commission that it would cost between $2-2.5 billion annually to reduce the HCP wait list to under three months.
We support the campaign. The reality is, without a dedicated investment in our age care workers – and new funding to address the 128,000-plus waiting list – we can’t guarantee quality of support and services for our mums and dads.
How can you get involved?
If you want to get behind NACA’s push for a stronger workforce and shorter home care waiting list, you can sign the Age Well campaign petition.
It will be sent to Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, and Shadow Minister for Ageing, Julie Collins – and calls on the Government to commit to “getting aged care right for everyone.”
For more information about Age Well, you can visit the website here.
