In a concerning development for Australia's aged care sector, leaked documents suggest that landmark reforms aimed at improving the quality and safety of aged care services may face significant delays.

This potential setback casts a shadow over efforts to address long standing issues within the industry and ensure the well-being of elderly Australians receiving care.

The sector has been eagerly anticipating the implementation of landmark reforms following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's recommendations in 2021.

According to leaked internal departmental communications, the transformative changes that were expected to be rolled out by July 1 might now be pushed back by up to a year, with new dates being speculated for either January or July 2025.

Leaked documents indicated potential delays to landmark reforms to Australia’s aged care sector. Credits: Shutterstock

The documents, which have not been officially released to the public, indicated that the implementation date is currently marked as 'TBC' (to be confirmed).

This uncertainty has sparked concern among industry experts and advocates for the elderly, who are anxious about the potential implications of such a delay.

Aged and Community Care Providers Association Chief Executive Tom Symondson expressed apprehension about the delay.

‘We still haven't seen large portions of the legislation, and we haven't seen the rules,’ he stated.

'If we rush it and don't get the transition right or get the training right, we will potentially fail a generation of older people,' he added, highlighting the critical nature of these reforms.

A federal government spokesperson has acknowledged the postponement, suggesting that the government is aiming for a revised target date later this year, which would sidestep the 2025 electoral cycle.

Patricia Sparrow, the Chief Executive of the Council on Ageing, voiced her frustration over the additional wait time for older Australians.

'How long do older people have to wait for rights? They've been waiting for a long time,' she said, reflecting the sentiment of many who feel that the aged care sector has been neglected for too long.

The proposed reforms are set to overhaul the current system, introducing stricter standards for residents' rights and quality of care, and aiming to create a more streamlined and user-friendly framework for aged care services.

Additionally, the draft legislation hints at the introduction of both civil and criminal penalties for staff and directors of aged care facilities who fail to comply with the new standards.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care, which conducted its inquiry between 2018 and 2021, delivered a damning report that exposed the extent of neglect, abuse, and substandard care that residents in nursing homes had endured for years.

As the aged care sector grapples with the potential delay of crucial reforms, concerns over the affordability and accessibility of aged care services loom large.

The prospect of seniors facing increased financial burdens for their care underscored the urgency of addressing systemic challenges within the industry.

In light of the uncertain timeline for reform implementation, it becomes increasingly crucial to safeguard the interests and well-being of elderly Australians, ensuring they receive the quality care they deserve without undue financial strain.

Key Takeaways

• Landmark reforms to Australia's aged care sector are facing potential delays, with a new implementation date possibly set for as late as January or July 2025.
• Leaked documents indicated that the implementation of reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was still uncertain.
• The proposed laws were set to overhaul residents' rights, the quality of care standards, and streamline the system, along with introducing penalties for breaches.
• The delay in reforms raised concerns among industry experts about the impact on the sector and the wellbeing of older Australians.

What are your thoughts on the delay of the aged care reforms? Have you or your loved ones been affected by the current state of the aged care system? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.

 

[margaretritchie48@hotmail]

Worked in Aged Care 36yrs and believe staff will be harder to get than now if faced with new legislation.
Hard to comply with rules about time spent per patient ,2 nurses on, a resident dying or very ill, so leave them to attend showering of other patient, so as to comply with time per resident rule. Can't happen it's impossible. Politicians need come and do a few shifts.

Can you wonder why I will not put my 100 yr old mum in a home. I feel sorry for all he staff that work in them, they do a wonderful job to the best of their abilities.

 

[Ezzy]

When my friend was alive he spent his final years in a Nursing Home with non- english speaking staff & was constantly complaining about his needs not being met because of the language barrier.

I have mentioned this incident before here, which possibility amounts to laziness or patient abuse if done regularly.

I was visiting my friend who was wearing a nappy which had leaked during the night & wet the sheets. The staff member knew he was wet, put him in his chair & proceeded to make the bed, pulling up the top sheet & blankets. When l stated that the bed was wet, the blankets & sheet were pulled back, he said where but put his hand directly on the wet patch. This person was aware of the need to change the sheets but tried to avoid this.

Doesn't the action of the staff member amount to patient abuse? How many people want to get into a bed with sheets wet with urine & covered all day with a blanket/s? The smell when getting into bed would be a big turn-off.

I am certain members here who have worked in these areas will confirm that bed wetting is a regular nightly occurrence.

 

[gamiry]

I’m sure the older generation is not high on the priority list for governments. Hopefully they will all end up in aged care facilities and be treated as badly as everyone else. I agree we need some politicians to work a minimum of a week of dayshift, a week of afternoon shift and a week of dogwatch shifts in an aged care facility. I bet there would be a much quicker implementation of the reforms if this happened. They should also receive the same pay as every other employee. It would be a good reality check for them. but it will never happen, pollies are too “precious“ to get out of their comfort zones.

they haven't got the guts to take up the challenge.

 

[IAN3005]

I’m sure the older generation is not high on the priority list for governments. Hopefully they will all end up in aged care facilities and be treated as badly as everyone else. I agree we need some politicians to work a minimum of a week of dayshift, a week of afternoon shift and a week of dogwatch shifts in an aged care facility. I bet there would be a much quicker implementation of the reforms if this happened. They should also receive the same pay as every other employee. It would be a good reality check for them. but it will never happen, pollies are too “precious“ to get out of their comfort zones.

Pensioners are on no list as far as the government is concerned....

 

[IAN3005]

When my friend was alive he spent his final years in a Nursing Home with non- english speaking staff & was constantly complaining about his needs not being met because of the language barrier.

I have mentioned this incident before here, which possibility amounts to laziness or patient abuse if done regularly.

I was visiting my friend who was wearing a nappy which had leaked during the night & wet the sheets. The staff member knew he was wet, put him in his chair & proceeded to make the bed, pulling up the top sheet & blankets. When l stated that the bed was wet, the blankets & sheet were pulled back, he said where but put his hand directly on the wet patch. This person was aware of the need to change the sheets but tried to avoid this.

Doesn't the action of the staff member amount to patient abuse? How many people want to get into a bed with sheets wet with urine & covered all day with a blanket/s? The smell when getting into bed would be a big turn-off.

I am certain members here who have worked in these areas will confirm that bed wetting is a regular nightly occurrence.

When my mother went into a nursing home I visited he 3 times a day for 5 years to make sure that they were not trying to pull a fast one.
I visited the kitchen to make sure that the food preparation was up to scratch, the same with the Laundry.
I trust no one......

 

[Clancieblue]

Thought this might be an interesting read -re aged care packages

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=454f15e4ba5a36d4JmltdHM9MTcxMjE4ODgwMCZpZ3VpZD0wNDYwMjQ5Ni1lY2UwLTYzODItMmMwNS0yODEwZWQ2OTYyZmImaW5zaWQ9NTIxMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=04602496-ece0-6382-2c05-2810ed6962fb&psq=How+many+home+care+packages+are+available+per+state%3f&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2VuLWFnZWRjYXJlZGF0YS5nb3YuYXUvZ2V0bWVkaWEvYWZlNjY0MTAtMTFlOS00YWYwLTkxYTAtN2M5NmRiZmY5NmNkL0hvbWUtY2FyZS1wYWNrYWdlcy1wcm9ncmFtLWRhdGEtcmVwb3J0LTEtQXByaWwtMzAtSnVuZS0yMDIzLnBkZg&ntb=1

 

[Ezzy]

When my mother went into a nursing home I visited he 3 times a day for 5 years to make sure that they were not trying to pull a fast one.
I visited the kitchen to make sure that the food preparation was up to scratch, the same with the Laundry.
I trust no one......

Sad isn't it that we cannot trust these institutions to look after our loved ones that we find it necessary to take the actions you did?

Some may say a shortage of staff brings on improper care, but that is not the fault of the patient or family, is it? Perhaps some staff are not trained well enough in this specialised area & it is one of those specialised occupations or may be they are just not the best person/people for those jobs.

Putting loved ones in these institutions is stressful not only for the patient but for the family too.

I have spoken to patients in Nursing Homes & several things are common with them all:- some didn't want to enter these places but were aware they could get proper treatment there when needed, felt this was the beginning of the end & they didn't expect to get many visitors.


A lady who attended the same Over 55's l still attend, was legally blind & lived with her daughter in law in a Granny Flat & was told she needed to go into a Nursing Home for a week for Respite Care. The D.I.L. then moved her daughter& child into the unit. This lady was never going to be allowed to return to her unit. I believe she did nothing but cry daily over this cruel treatment. Very sad indeed.

 

[IAN3005]

They're in it for one reason $$$$$$ nothing else.
The people come last.....

 

[GillyH]

Very disappointed I’m been waiting for nearly a year for Home care package and keep getting told that I have to wait how long does it take

I work in Aged Care keep chasing it up. We have people on Level 3-4 only being offered level 1 because that is all they have access too.

 

[GillyH]

They're in it for one reason $$$$$$ nothing else.
The people come last.....

So do the Workers $35 a hour now, better than $25 I was on 7 years ago. There is your problem! That is skilled training, not just someone off the street.

 

[Ezzy]

I work in Aged Care keep chasing it up. We have people on Level 3-4 only being offered level 1 because that is all they have access too.

Not a good situation is it?

 

[Nina_59]

only 20 weeks for an assessment ... People in the Burnett Shire would love that. As I've said earlier, 12 -18 months just for an assessment and an outcome if it ever arrives. Anyone would think we oldies just popped up from a hole in the ground. Wonder what will happen to Pollies when they get to our age. Heaven help them.

Yes I also wonder what will happen when the pollies arrive at that time. They will probably be well cared for with their pensions from the tax payers monies.