Aged-care sector given $662 million boost ahead of probe

Elderly citizens will be able to stay in their homes for longer thanks to a multimillion-dollar boost to aged care. The funding will see an extra 10,000 home-care packages providing a range of services for seniors.

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Elderly citizens will be able to stay in their homes for longer thanks to a multimillion-dollar boost to aged care.

A day before the Royal Commission Into Aged Care hears its first witness, Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt will unveil the $662 million package to fund an extra 10,000 home-care packages providing a range of services for seniors who need extra help to live independently.

The packages are split into four tiers, depending on need, and can provide taxpayer-funded nurses, aids or personal services such as showering, gardening and meals.

About $320 million will be spent boosting subsidies for providers of residential aged care.

An extra $282.4 million will fund home-care packages across all tiers, including 3545 packages for seniors in NSW.

Georgie Guthrie said it’s very important for the elderly to have independence. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

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More than $4 million will be invested in a medication management program and $7.4 million on advisory services for care providers to help them improve services.

Georgie Guthrie, 87, has a level-three home-care package that allows her to live in a retirement village apartment in Sydney’s north rather than residential aged care.

While she misses her family home she said her taxpayer-­funded carers help her do the shopping and cleaning and take her on outings.

“I like to do everything for myself,” Mrs Guthrie said. “My husband used to say I was the perfect wife because I loved cleaning the house and looking after the kids.

“But most of the carers are very good. They bend over backwards for me.”

The great-grandmother was recently able to purchase a new walker through her home-care package.

“I think it’s very important to have your independence,” Mrs Guthrie said.

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt will unveil the package to fund an extra 10,000 home-care packages. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said looking after the elderly was one of his top priorities for his government. Picture: AAP Image/Peter Rae

Today’s announcement comes weeks after a damning report by the Productivity Commission ­revealed the average time the aged are waiting for home-care packages doubled to about three months last year, with ­demand growing faster than funding.

Aged and Community Services Australia chief executive Pat Sparrow welcomed the funding boost and said it “shows the government is listening”.

“Most people want to stay at home, but there does often come a time when they need to move into residential aged care,” Ms Sparrow said. “An extra 10,000 packages is great.

“We need to make sure people are getting the very best care that can be provided, whether that’s at home or in residential care.”

The funding comes a day before the Royal Commission into Aged Care hears its first witness.

Ms Sparrow said she hoped the royal commission would prompt a community discussion.

“We need to ask how we make sure the system is sustainable, it’s a really important community conversation,” she said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said looking after the elderly was the government’s top priority.

“These places give older Australians the choice about how and where they want to live,” he said.

“Older Australians have worked hard all their life, paid taxes and done their fair share, and they deserve our support.”

Originally published as Aged-care sector given $662 million boost ahead of probe