If you have been following the news this week, you will have likely read headlines about the closure of a number of aged care homes around the country.
Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT announced on Wednesday that it would close the 33 single-room Currawarna RAC in Bombala in south-eastern NSW, and the 32-unit Tenison facility (pictured) in Swansea, Lake Macquarie.
40 residents in total will be relocated to other homes, with CEO Helen Emmerson attributing the closures to ongoing staff shortages.
Evidence provided by the Federal Department of Health to Senate Estimates on the same day has revealed that nine aged care homes – six in NSW and three in Victoria – had closed in December while seven homes had indicated they will shut early this year.
These closures will naturally be of concern to anyone with a loved one living in residential care.
The move into an aged care home is never an easy one for the resident or their family, and moving to another facility – which may be located further away from relatives and friends – is another upheaval.
Older aged care homes most at risk of closure
Sadly, more closures are likely to be on the way. Many aged care providers have seen major staffing shortages in the latest Omicron wave.
The Federal Government’s increase in the number of Home Care Packages (HCPs) is also seeing more older Australians receiving care at home, further impacting on residential aged care providers’ finances.
With Australia’s aged care sector now facing further reforms following on from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, more homes are expected to close their doors, particularly when they are older and no longer meet modern standards.
There is good news however. In the event of a closure, providers are obligated to keep providing care to aged care residents until they have found a new place.
Under the residential agreement signed by an operator and a resident when they enter residential care, the operator must also help the resident find this alternative accommodation.
The Federal Government is also investing in making it easier for older Australians and their families to navigate the system, with new ‘care finders’ and face-to-face support now available.
You can be reassured that your loved one won’t be left without the care and support they need.
