Jul 21, 2020

More than 100,000 older Australians still waiting for home care

New Government figures quietly released yesterday reveal more than 103,000 older Australians are still waiting for the home care package they have been approved for, says Shadow Minister for Ageing, Julie Collins MP.

These shocking figures follow the Aged Care Royal Commission’s interim report which called the long waiting times older Australians faced for home care ‘neglect’.

The Government’s announcement of just 6,000 more home care packages earlier this month will not put a dent in this lengthy waiting list.

While Australians are understandably concerned and focused on the risks of COVID-19 to older people, we must not forget the failings of our country’s broken aged care system.

The shocking figures that reveal the crisis in Australia’s aged care system just keep growing.

Almost 30,000 older Australians sadly passed away in just two years while waiting for home care.

Older Australians waiting for high level home care packages are waiting almost three years to get the care they have been approved for.

The Government must do better to ensure older Australians get the quality aged care services they deserve now.

Image: urbazon, iStock.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. We have record unemployment but the Liberal government cannot put a dent in the waiting lists for home care. What is going on ?

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

“Absolutely tragic”: Lonely aged care residents suffering emotional toll as gruelling lockdowns continue

Aged care homes are still imposing tough lockdowns, even though the dangers to mental and physical health are well known. Restrictions generally are being eased as vaccination rates rise, however, little is being said about the easing of restrictions in aged care – despite residents being one of the most highly vaccinated populations in the country. Read More

Underpaid staff, malnutrition, neglect: This week at the Aged Care Royal Commission

Warning: Graphic content. Key points to emerge this week at the Aged Care Royal Commission: Aged care staff unpaid by 15 per cent. Australia’s population is ageing, and the number of people living with dementia is rising. Reported cases of abuse in aged care facility are “tip of the iceberg”. People dying while waiting for... Read More

Why Aged Care Will Change for the Better After COVID-19

All industries have been impacted in some shape or form due to COVID-19, but few have felt the impact quite like the senior, or aged, care industry. The combination of a population at a unique risk to the disease, as well as our initial lack of scientific understanding of the disease, have led to a lot of loss, and uncertainty about how well these facilities can protect their residents. Read More
Advertisement
Exit mobile version