Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced changes to the Support at Home program. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
An Illawarra advocacy group has welcomed changes to the Support at Home program for older Australians, describing them as a “significant and positive step”.
The $1 billion reforms, announced by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler on Wednesday (22 April), will mean that from 1 October, people will no longer have to pay for essential in-home care services, such as showering, dressing and continence management.
Community Industry Group CEO Nicky Sloan said the reforms were a significant and positive step toward ensuring older people could access the care they needed to live safely, comfortably and with dignity in their own homes.
“Crucially, we welcome the recognition that these services are appropriately classified as clinical care,” she said.
“Services such as assistance with showering, dressing and continence management are not merely routine supports, they play a vital role in preventing infections, maintaining basic hygiene and improving overall quality of life.”
The Support at Home program was introduced in November last year, replacing the government’s Home Care Package which provided various care services to help older people safely stay longer in their own homes.
Those who were receiving a Home Care Package were told their financial contribution would stay the same. “This means you will pay the same or less than you currently pay under the new Support at Home program,” a letter sent to seniors said.
The new program was supposed to improve care at home, offer more services and reduce the waiting list for people to be assessed and approved for in-home care.
However, it also meant that people would have to pay for more of their non-clinical care, including support for personal care such as showering, as well as everyday living costs such as cleaning, gardening and meal delivery.
A few months after the scheme was introduced, CI Group sought feedback from member organisations and care providers, which revealed there was a significant gap between what was promised and what was happening in practice.
Community Industry Group CEO Nicky Sloan said the changes would significantly reduce financial pressure on older people. Photo: Community Industry Group.
“While providers strongly support the intent of the reform, the findings reveal serious implementation failures that are placing unsustainable pressure on service providers and putting client care at risk,” it said in its feedback report.
“Clients who thought they understood what they would be paying are being hit with unexpected costs. Pensioners are making impossible choices between food, medications and care. People at the end of their lives cannot afford the support to stay at home with dignity. This is not the person-centred care that was promised.”
Mr Butler told the Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday that the government had been “closely monitoring” the rollout of the Support at Home program.
“This program is undeniably delivering improvements to the system: more packages, better quality packages and shorter wait times,” Mr Butler said.
“But we’ve heard community concerns on some aspects of the program, particularly around showering.
“In response, we’ll invest around $1 billion to change the treatment of showering, continence management and dressing through the Support at Home program, making them free of charge alongside clinical care.
“Dignity in older age – through a world-class aged care system – is the least our parents and grandparents deserve.”
Ms Sloan said the government’s acknowledgement of the clinical importance of these services and reducing the financial burden on older people would help to ensure that care was accessible and responsive to real health needs.
“In the context of the ongoing bed block crisis across the region, this measure is also a timely intervention,” she said.
“Supporting older people to remain well at home will help reduce avoidable hospitalisations and ease pressure on an already stretched hospital system.
“Most importantly, this will significantly reduce financial pressure on older people and stop them electing to reduce essential services because of the co-contribution.
“And ensuring access to appropriate, affordable in-home care will also help to build a more sustainable health system; one that prioritises prevention, early intervention, and patient wellbeing.”
Mr Butler also announced the construction of 5000 residential aged care beds, 20 additional Specialist Dementia Care units and an expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program to help older people transition from hospital into residential aged care.
