OLDER Australians waiting for in-home support could soon see relief, with the Federal Government releasing 20,000 new Home Care Packages (HCP) before the end of October, and a further 20,000 by the end of the year.
The move follows pressure from advocacy groups after the start of the new Aged Care Act was pushed back to November 1, delaying 83,000 promised packages.
Despite the announcement, demand remains high. A Senate inquiry heard more than 87,000 older people are already approved and waiting for care, with another 120,000 waiting to be assessed, some for up to 11 months.
Retirement Living Council executive director Daniel Gannon said the move was “welcome but tragically overdue.”
“For 210,000 older Australians in care limbo, this parliamentary point-scoring process didn’t cook a single meal, help someone shower or keep someone safely at home,” he said.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) also welcomed the release but called for stronger safeguards.
“Inadequate in-home care support can push older people into hospital and prematurely into residential aged care,” OPAN’s Samantha Edmonds said. “Older people should not have to wait more than 30 days for in-home support.”
Locally, Intereach says the announcement will make a real difference. “Older people in our communities want to stay in the homes they love, connected to the places and people that matter most,” co-CEO Yvette Buhagiar said. “Our teams are ready to support older people and their families as these packages become available.”
Intereach has long supported rural and regional communities with daily tasks, social connection and in-home clinical care.
For information or support regarding aged care, call the Older Persons Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600 or visit opan.org.au.
