Elderly Geeveston residents denied support just an hour’s drive from Hobart
Elderly residents approved for home support are being denied services because nominated providers say they are too far away – despite being just an hour from Hobart.
Tasmania
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A Tasmanian MP has highlighted the plight of elderly residents approved for home support who are struggling to access basic cleaning and gardening services – which a lobby group says threatens their health.
Independent member for Franklin David O’Byrne says elderly residents at Geeveston in southern Tasmania are missing out on vital support because nominated providers say they are unable to service the area.
He said the Geeveston Community Centre had been working tirelessly to help several residents access services they have been approved to receive under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
“Geeveston is one hour’s drive from a capital city, hardly a remote area. Residents there deserve and rightly expect home care organisations funded by the government to provide those services,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“The low-level services these residents are seeking will enable them to continue to live in their own homes in Geeveston for many more years, where they can be close to their families, friends, and support networks.
“But without this basic care being provided, I fear that the health of these residents will deteriorate, and they will be forced to either move to another town or to Hobart, or transition into an aged care facility earlier than would be suitable.”
Mr O’Byrne said the My Aged Care website lists several providers who visit Geeveston, however only two actually do and both say they have no capacity to take on new clients.
He has written to the federal government seeking solutions for the lack of services available in Geeveston.
Council on the Ageing Tasmania CEO Brigid Wilkinson said the problems accessing help for elderly Tasmanians were “a common theme we are hearing in our Care Finder team”.
She said the problems included the length of time it was taking to get an assessment and then to get funding approved and released.
“Coupled with shortages in our aged care workforce, it’s a perfect storm,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“Unfortunately, whilst there are changes coming that will benefit those that need to access support, our current aged care system is not meeting the needs of older Tasmanians.
“We continue to hear similar stories like those of the residents in Geeveston across Tasmania within our Care Finder program and broader community engagement.
“If people are unable to access timely support that can act as a preventative measure, like CHSP services, we will see more and more people decline in their health and wellbeing that then require greater support and ultimately this can, and will, put pressure on our health systems”
A Department of Health and Aged Care spokesman said the Department was aware of the increasing need for assistance through the CHSP and many services were in high demand.
“A CHSP growth funding opportunity for 2024-25 for the highest demand service types was also recently advertised, with Home Maintenance services included in the Southern Aged Care Planning Regions (which includes Geeveston),” he said.
“This growth funding will assist CHSP providers to deliver additional services to older people to help support them to stay independent at home.
“Where clients are experiencing difficulties accessing services, they are encouraged to contact My Aged Care as they can assist with locating available providers.”
Anger over a failing system
Geeveston Community Centre community connector Michelle Studley is frustrated and upset that people like Margaret Riley cannot get the support they need.
“They’re struggling,” she said. “One person said to me ‘they don’t care about us’.
“It’s very distressing.
“I know at least six people who want to stay well and live in their own homes but they need help around the house because it’s exhausting for them – they get sore and tired.
“I feel that our elderly residents in Geeveston have been abandoned by the system that was created to support them.”
Mrs Riley is 82 years old, has lived in Geeveston for 65 years, and in her current home for 37 years.
Her husband went into an aged care home last October.
“I was initially visiting him every second day, but due to feeling so exhausted from managing things at home I have had to cut it back my visits to just twice per week,” Mrs Riley said.
“I can do my house work but it is really hard, and it leaves me feeling very tired and exhausted.
“Last week I cancelled plans to play darts due to feeling so overwhelmed and tired.
“I’m really worried about the future because if I can’t get help now what will happen as my health deteriorates.”
Ms Studley said she felt elderly residents in Geeveston “have been abandoned by the system that was created to support them”.
“These early interventions are extremely important in helping people to maintain independence in their own home and to ensure they have the capacity to maintain their social connections that are essential to good mental health,” she said.
“Many of the people I am supporting have talked about how pushing themselves to do basic household tasks is physically challenging and exhausting, and at times that leaves them with no energy to go out and do things with their friends and engage with the community.
“My wish is that the government adequately funds the services that people in our community have been assessed as needing and have the right to access.”
It is believed a shortage of workers is contributing to the lack of service providers under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Originally published as Elderly Geeveston residents denied support just an hour’s drive from Hobart
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