Cyril Tooze dies after speaking out about lengthy wait for in-home aged care

An elderly man who turned to Voluntary Assisted Dying after he was faced with a lengthy wait for in-home aged care has died.

An elderly man who turned to Voluntary Assisted Dying after he was faced with a lengthy wait for in-home aged care has died.

Cyril Tooze, 86, made the decision to end his life after he was left languishing in hospital with no one able to take care of him at home.

In January, he was approved for a Level 4 Home Care Package – the highest available level of in-home care – but he had been left waiting since then for the support to be provided.

The delay was due to a backlog of demand and staffing shortfalls.

Mr Tooze had terminal heart and lung problems, experienced a fall and was hospitalised towards the end of his life.

His health had deteriorated to the point that, at 6 feet tall, he weighed only 42kg before his death on Friday.

Last month, it was revealed at a Senate inquiry hearing that the number of older Australians who were waiting to receive home care they had been approved for – like in the case of Mr Tooze – had blown out to 76,000.

Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie, who advocated for Mr Tooze towards the end of his life, said it had been a privilege to know him.

“The man that I knew, he had such courage and such dignity to the very end,” she said.

Cyril Tooze, 86, with Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie at hospital in Victor Harbor. Picture: Supplied

“To the very end he wanted his situation to shed light and provide a human story for the 76,000 other older Australians who, just like him, are deteriorating, having accidents and injuring themselves while waiting for a Home Care package that they’ve been assessed as needing.

“Despite a new Act being passed in the House of Representatives with urgency, there is no plan from the government to address the blown-out waiting list and the reality is that people are dying while they’re waiting for Home Care.”

Mr Tooze, who did not have children and has relatives who live interstate, had cared for his wife prior to her death then worked as a professional carer well into his 70s.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said her thoughts are with Cyril’s family and friends “as we mourn their loss but appreciate Cyril’s life and his commitment to helping older Australians”.

Cyril Tooze at a party held to honour him on the Sunday before his death. Picture: Supplied

“I spoke with Cyril last month and his story and others like his are among the key reasons the government and I are committed to reforming the aged care system,” she said.

“Our reforms include a $4.3bn investment in the new Support at Home program that will benefit around 1.4 million Australians by 2035.

“That program is designed specifically to help older Australians remain independent, in their home and their community for longer.”

The program will deliver outcomes like support for 300,000 more participants over the next 10 years, shorter average wait times from assessment to when people receive support, and more tailored support.