In a bold move to amplify the voices of Australia’s ageing population, a group of seniors living with disabilities has produced a poignant short documentary titled Keeping Our Lights On at Home.
Created by Peter Willcocks and Angus McMillan, the film highlights deep-seated concerns about the new Aged Care Act, particularly the contentious Support at Home program set to roll out in just a few weeks. Entered into the Focus on Ability Film Festival, this grassroots effort aims to pressure the government into reconsidering reforms that many fear will exacerbate hardship for vulnerable older Australians.
Voices from the documentary
The short film, categorised as a documentary, opens with a chorus of seniors articulating their fears about the future of in-home aged care. An elderly woman sets the tone early, stating, “Everyone who accesses aged care services has a disability.”
Others echo the sentiment, with one pleading, “We just want our voices to be heard,” and a senior gentleman pointing out the irony of the system: “Looking after loved ones at home saves the government billions of dollars every year, and for this we’re basically pushed into poverty.”
Throughout its runtime, the documentary weaves together personal testimonies and stark critiques. A title card declares, “In-home support for the disabled elderly is critically underfunded,” followed by stories that bring the issues to life.
One woman recounts her mother’s traumatic experience in residential aged care, while a man on a motorised scooter laments the $15,000 lifetime cap on home modifications, noting, “To get a bathroom renovated costs a lot more than 15K.” Another senior questions the adequacy of the 12-week palliative care allowance, asking, “What if I miss the deadline?” highlighting the uncertainty and potential for abrupt funding cut-offs.
Peter Willcocks himself appears on camera, delivering a blunt assessment: “The government and Department of Health have come up with a program that does not support people to remain in their own homes. People want to stay in their own homes; they are being denied this.”
The film then shifts focus to carers, with a title screen reading, “Carers are left to pick up the pieces of a broken system.” A senior man describes the relentless 24/7 demands on family carers, who often quit jobs for compensation equating to about $3.60 an hour, leading to burnout and financial strain. He asserts that the new Aged Care Act offers no real support for these unsung heroes.
Highlighting systemic failures
Concerns about elder abuse surface next, with an elderly woman warning that exhausted carers might inadvertently take out frustrations on those they care for. A title card proclaims, “The new policies don’t make sense,” paving the way for more testimonies. A woman reliant on community transport reveals a 600% fee hike since January, attributed to her home care package.
An older gentleman condemns the “shocking cruelty” inflicted on seniors with lifelong disabilities, citing Section 22 of the NDIS Act, which excludes those turning 65 before its rollout in their area. He argues this is a violation of Article 5 of the UN’s Disability Convention.
Pensioners’ financial woes are laid bare, with one woman stating, “We are on pensions! We don’t have the money to pay for outside help. $5 or $10 to somebody working might not be much, but it is a fortune to someone on a pension. It may mean they go without a meal or go into debt.” Another warns that the Support at Home system will burden nursing homes unnecessarily, eroding a culture of respect for elders.
The film concludes with a call to action, urging seniors to contact their local MPs and speak out against the reforms. The final on-screen message resonates deeply: “All we want is to stay in our homes with dignity.”
Public reactions to the film
Public response to the film has been overwhelmingly supportive, reflecting widespread frustration. One commenter remarked, “A group of people who have experienced this system and studied it carefully nail the problems in a few words. They have all been active in pressing governments for real change but have all been ignored. A change of direction is essential.”
Another praised its realism: “A very good look at the reality of home support and all its faults, loneliness and social isolation and carer burnout are the biggest issues. We support our beautiful clients who long for continued homefulness – indeed, keep the lights on.”
A third added a universal note: “One day everyone will get old and need care, so this topic should never be cast aside but brought to the forefront, because one day it will be you too.” Yet another lauded the participants: “The participants in this excellent film absolutely nail the huge problems facing the elderly under the Support at Home section of the new Aged Care Act.”
Broader criticisms of the Support at Home Program
These sentiments align with broader criticisms of the Aged Care Act, particularly the Support at Home program, which replaces Home Care Packages and introduces means-tested co-payments.
An article titled Ticking Timebomb: Government Ignores Warnings of Support at Home’s Fatal Flaws warns that the scheme, launching in only three weeks time, could force seniors into hospitals or residential care due to unaffordable fees.
Providers like Adrian Morgan of Flexi Care Inc. argue it betrays its goal of enabling independent living, with up to 80% co-contributions for everyday services like cleaning or shopping crippling pensioners.
Professor Kathy Eagar criticises the funding model’s deceit, predicting a rise in unregulated “black market” care. Public comments on the article echo this despair. One called it a “disaster about to hit,” foreseeing injuries, deaths and overloaded facilities. An 80-year-old shared her struggle with limited help, while another questioned the scheme’s complexity and affordability.
Others lamented the lack of clear information from providers, and one urged readers to contact MPs, decrying the program as designed to reduce care for most. While a few dismissed critiques as “scaremongering”, the majority expressed deep concern, with one noting voluntary assisted dying looks “more attractive” amid such prospects. Another highlighted the hypocrisy, pointing to ministers not listening as aged care suffers.
A call for urgent change
As the reforms approach, films like Keeping Our Lights On at Home serve as a vital reminder of the human cost. With public outcry mounting, advocates hope the government will heed these voices and amend the Act to truly support ageing with dignity at home.
