In-home care delays put elderly Queenslanders at risk

ELDERLY Queenslanders face longer delays for home care, and some are being forced into nursing homes prematurely, as a waiting list blow-out escalates. But, shockingly, 80 per cent of the tens of thousands affected are the most in-need of help.

ELDERLY Queenslanders face longer delays for home care with the waiting list blowing out by more than 3000 in just six months.

As the federal government plans a royal commission into the crisis in aged care, figures show there are now more than 22,000 Queenslanders waiting for assistance, with many put on hold for a year or more.

The delays are worst for those assessed as needing the highest level of in-home care, with those in the two most serious categories now facing delays of 12 months or more before they receive funding under the federal government’s Home Care Packages Program.

Twelve-month delays have hit the government’s Home Care Packages Program.

Government data reveals the number of Queenslanders waiting for funding packages jumped from 19,585 at December 31, 2017 to 22,804 at the end of June 2018.

Close to 80 per cent of these people were in the most serious two categories, which have the longest wait times.

Merrell Brown, 71, from Stafford in Brisbane’s north, said she had been waiting for more than a year to receive funding after being approved for the second highest level of care in September last year.

Mrs Brown said she found it more difficult to look after herself after her husband moved into residential care following a heart attack and stroke.

“I’m getting to the point now where I think I’ve fallen through the cracks,” Mrs Brown said.

“It’s very frustrating and I’m feeling very vulnerable because there are things that I need that I can’t get.

“I’m always scared when I’m walking around on my walker. I’ve already had one fall.”

Elderly Queenslanders are being forced out of their homes due to delays in getting them assistance for day to day tasks.

Mrs Brown said she would use the package to pay for a new wheelchair and to get daily assistance with showering, house cleaning and laundry.

The delays come as Scott Morrison vowed to target improvements to aged care in his pitch to voters ahead of the next election.

Aged Care minister Ken Wyatt said at home care was a “top priority” and he expected wait times to improve after $1.6 billion extra spending in this year’s budget takes effect.

“The continuing strong demand for home care packages - particularly levels 3 and 4 - reflects the wishes of the growing number of senior Australians to remain living independently for as long as possible,” he said.

“I expect the benefits of the new Budget allocation to begin flowing to senior Australians across the nation.”

Opposition Ageing spokeswoman Julie Collins said the government had failed to address worsening waiting times.

“The Prime Minister has said he would make aged care a focus of his government but older Queenslanders are waiting longer and longer for care,” she said.

“Sadly this means more older Queenslanders are being forced into residential aged care and into emergency departments instead of getting the home care they need.”

It is understood the government expects the waiting list to grow further and will have to pledge extra funding to meet growing demand.

Some people could be moved onto lower categories of care amid concerns assessors were placing people on higher categories than they need in anticipation their needs would increase in the future.

Mr Wyatt this week announced $100 million in new funding for a separate scheme to provide meals on wheels and home help through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.