Saturday, 28th, September, 2024:Professor Tracy Comans, The Centre for Health Services Research, Govt changes to Ageing Australians

Recent changes in Australia’s home care system aim to help elderly Australians stay in their homes longer instead of moving to nursing homes. This shift aligns with their preferences and is cost-effective for the government. By increasing funding and reforming support at home, the government hopes to better care for aging individuals and meet their needs. With new programs in place, more support packages will be available, encouraging healthy aging in familiar environments, which is beneficial for the individuals and helps reduce reliance on expensive residential care. Ultimately, these reforms strive to enhance quality of life for older Australians by providing more options for at-home care and promoting independence.

A new aged care act is set to introduce essential rights for individuals receiving care, emphasizing dignity, respect, and the acknowledgment of cultural and spiritual diversity. Unlike past legislation, which lacked a clear rights framework, this act requires care providers to embed these rights in their services and practices. This shift is significant as it holds providers accountable for ensuring that individuals feel safe and respected in their care environment. It will be crucial to see how effectively these rights are put into practice, particularly for those in faith-based organizations that serve diverse communities. Ultimately, the new rights-based approach aims to reshape how care is delivered, ensuring that every person’s identity and needs are valued and supported in the aged care system.

Under the new care services act effective June 30 next year, individuals will have clear rights and processes for raising complaints about their care. It is crucial for people receiving these services to understand their rights and advocate for themselves. However, challenges remain, such as funding gaps and shortages in qualified care workers, particularly in rural and regional areas. While the new support program aims to increase funding and improve access to care packages, current waiting lists highlight the urgent need for qualified workforce to meet growing demand for home care services as people age gracefully in their homes.

Home care services are essential for individuals who can no longer perform daily tasks on their own. While traditional help like cooking and cleaning feels convenient, it may not promote independence or well-being. The new funding will cover health services like physiotherapy completely, but there will be more costs for domestic services like gardening. This shift emphasizes the importance of helping individuals regain their abilities and stay active rather than just providing assistance for everyday tasks. Encouraging activities that provide purpose, while also working towards improving personal capabilities, is crucial for mental and physical health.

To effectively support people staying at home, two main areas need attention: the paid skilled workforce and the unpaid caregivers. While new incentives aim to enhance home care services by focusing on skilled professionals, there's a lack of clear strategies to strengthen the workforce and support unpaid caregivers, like family and friends. These caregivers play a crucial role, helping those who are frail remain at home, thus reducing the need for government-funded residential care. Recognizing and properly supporting these unpaid caregivers is essential alongside training and increasing the number of professional caregivers to ensure the success of home care initiatives.

Home care for the elderly is an area needing improvement, as many families feel dissatisfied with the care provided. Although the government is making changes to the home care system, such as increasing care levels, many informal caregivers like family members or friends remain unsupported. These caregivers provide significant value that often goes unrecognized. It’s a concern that while some changes are positive, the system may still not adequately address the needs of all caregivers, possibly due to cost considerations. There is a call for more inclusive discussions about recognizing and compensating the important work that informal caregivers do. As we move forward, considering how to incentivize quality care and support those who assist loved ones at home will be critical in enhancing the overall care system.

Unpaid carers play a crucial role in providing support, yet often they only receive limited assistance, managing 20 to 30 hours of care per week for their loved ones. With around 168 hours in a week, this means many carers are left alone without adequate support. Recognizing their efforts and improving carer payments and social security is essential for creating a better support system. As changes are set to begin next year, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect both carers and those they care for. Collaboration and continuous feedback will be necessary to ensure that care provision is sustainable and effective for everyone involved. The well-being of both unpaid carers and those they help needs to be prioritized to create a more supportive framework moving forward.