Aged care package delivers a decent go at a decent life for older Australians

UnitingCare Australia’s National Director, Lin Hatfield Dodds, said the aged care reforms announced on April 20 put older Australians at the centre of a new aged care system.

Commenting after a briefing from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Ageing, Ms Hatfield Dodds said the blueprint invested in the core components of a fundamentally reshaped aged care system that would deliver better care to older Australians now and as their needs changed.

“More and better support to age at home, and a simpler and fairer financing system are the keystones of the new system,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

“We know that older Australians want to stay in their own home and community as long as they can.

“$1 billion of the $3.7billion of spend announced today will go to care in people’s homes. That’s a very good thing.

“UnitingCare Australia welcomes new fair and flexible financing arrangements. Equity has been missing in action in aged care financing for too long.

“We are very pleased to see measures that will ensure vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians are protected and supported, while those who can afford to pay a fair share toward the costs of their accommodation and care, do so.

“The Government’s commitment to invest in structural reform is a welcome priority.

“Establishing a single Gateway for information and access to care, an independent financing authority, better supporting our workforce and an expert implementation council will ensure the Government can ensure the intent of the reforms is actually delivered.

“Finally, the focus on alleviating workforce pressures is welcome. $1.2 billion will go a long way to delivering higher wages, better training and professional development, and improved career pathways.

“The reform package invests in the structural transformation required of aged care that will ensure a better life and better care for older Australians.

“Over the coming days we’ll be assessing the detail of the package and we look forward to being part of implementation planning. We call on all political parties to support these reforms.”

UnitingCare services manage 12 per cent of all residential aged care places in Australia with over 12,000 aged care beds and a network of community care places from metropolitan to remote communities.