An investigation by The Age has uncovered troubling cases of terminally ill aged care residents being blocked from accessing voluntary assisted dying inside the facilities they call home, forcing some to spend their final days navigating transfers, medical assessments off site, and added emotional distress.
The issue has sparked renewed debate about transparency in Australia’s aged care sector, with doctors, families and advocacy groups questioning whether some providers are doing enough to support residents’ legal end-of-life choices.
Under current federal aged care standards, older Australians have the right to make decisions about their care, including access to voluntary assisted dying where it is legal. But according to clinicians working in Victoria, that right is not always being honoured in practice.
Melbourne physician Margaret Fraenkel said she had recently cared for two patients living in aged care who encountered barriers when trying to access the scheme.
“They are already stressed about the VAD and their looming death,” Fraenkel told The Age.
She said one patient planned to transfer to hospital, while another tried to move to a different facility, but both died before they were able to access the medication.
Families have also spoken out about the emotional toll.
Susie Germano said her mother, Rosemarie, who was living with terminal cancer, made it clear she wanted to pursue voluntary assisted dying shortly after moving into residential care last year. But according to the family, the facility would not allow the process to take place on site.
“It was a complete shock,” Germano told The Age. “Not once was it mentioned to us that they don’t support VAD.”
Instead, Rosemarie was transferred back into hospital, where she spent weeks waiting for approvals before eventually receiving the medication.
Doctors say the barriers are not limited to transfers. Oncologist Cameron McLaren said he has conducted consultations in aged care car parks after being denied access to residents inside facilities.
“That’s not the way this should be conducted,” he told The Age.
The issue comes as advocacy group Go Gentle Australia releases new research suggesting many aged care providers still do not publicly disclose their position on voluntary assisted dying, despite the practice now being legal across every Australian state.
Advocates say the lack of clear information leaves families vulnerable at one of the most difficult moments of their lives, often only discovering a provider’s position after a loved one has entered care.
While some providers say they support residents’ choices, campaigners are now calling for all aged care homes to clearly outline their policies upfront, allowing families to make informed decisions before moving in.
The Victorian government has already passed reforms aimed at improving access to voluntary assisted dying, including changes to communication laws due to take effect next year.
