More than 6000 Victorians added to aged care queue in past six months

THE waiting list for older Victorians waiting to access higher levels of care in their home has blown out by more than 6000 in just six months.

THE waiting list for older Victorians access higher levels of care in their home has blown out by more than 6000 in just six months.

New data reveals 28,575 Victorians were either waiting for taxpayer-funded support services or increased levels of clinical care to remain in their family home as of June 30.

The Federal Government released the latest report on the national queue for home care packages, on the eve of the AFL grand final.

It shows nationally the queue has grown from 88,000 in June 2017 to 108,000 in March 2018 to 121,000 as of the end of June this year.

In December last year 22,693 Victorians were on the waiting list.

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It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison vows to make aged care in both nursing homes or residential a key election issue.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed to make aged care a priority for his government. Picture: Gary Ramage

Opposition ageing spokeswoman Julie Collins said despite the government’s focus older Victorians are waiting “longer and longer for care”.

“It is completely unacceptable that the number of older Victorians on the waiting list for a home care package has grown by almost 6,000 in just six months,” Ms Collins said

“Older Victorians with high care needs are now waiting more than a year for the level of care they require.”

Mr Morrison announced a royal commission into the sector earlier this month but the report makes it clear the number of positions available are not keeping up with demand.

There were 29,225 approvals for a home care package in the June 2018 quarter.

Almost 65,000 people in the queue, were either in, or assigned, a home care package.

The report estimates that around 75 per cent of all people waiting were receiving Federal Government support either through lower level packages or the home support program — such as domestic assistance and home maintenance, transport, meals-on-wheels and nursing services.

Labor’s ageing spokeswoman Julie Collins says the government cannot wait for the Royal Commission to act.

Federal Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said last month the government was focused on supporting older Australians by boosting their financial security, helping those who want to work longer and giving them more choice in their care.

“More older Australians than ever before are being supported to stay in their own home for longer,” Mr Wyatt said.

“As our population ages, we are seeing demand for support increasing every year. That is why in this year’s Budget we committed to a record $5 billion aged care boost, including $1.6 billion for additional high-level home care packages.”

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