Licence of SA in-home support provider Assist HomeCare suspended

AN Adelaide company that helps elderly people with showering, dressing, their meals, cleaning and transport has had its licence suspended over serious concerns.

ELDERLY clients of a company that provides in-home support services are being cared for by other agencies after regulators identified severe risks to the health and wellbeing of care recipients.

Federal authorities last month suspended for six months the approved provider status of Assist HomeCare, in Toorak Gardens.

The business provides services to help elderly people remain in their own homes, including showering, dressing, meals, cleaning, gardening, transport and bill-paying help.

The federal Department of Health and Ageing had serious concerns related to “effective management”, “risk management”, “care plan development and delivery” and other issues.

The company was banned from receiving government subsidies for new clients. A Health Department spokesman said an administrator had been appointed to help the Assist HomeCare comply with its responsibilities.

“The department has written to all affected care recipients and the administrator on the ground is in regular contact with care recipients,’’ the spokesman said

“All care recipients have now been placed with alternative providers. There are currently no care recipients with Assist Services.’’

Families or friends with concerns about the care of older people were urged to contact the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner.

“The paramount consideration throughout the compliance process is the health, welfare and interests of current and future aged care recipients,’’ the spokesman said.

Assist HomeCare was recently acquired by DJ Health Services. DJ Health Services was unavailable for comment.

Federal authorities have been increasing spot checks on aged care services in the wake of the Oakden scandal.

The federal Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will be based in Adelaide after the city was declared “ground zero’’ in the crisis that has shaken confidence in services for older Australians

In addition to calling the royal commission, the Government is establishing a new independent commission from January 1 to oversee aged care quality safety and undertake investigations into substandard providers. Extra inspectors will also be hired.

In order to help older people keep living in their own homes for longer, the Government is spending an additional $1.6 billion on home care support packages.