Home care system buckles under pressure as demand soars and delays mount
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As we age, the comfort of our home becomes more than just a living space—it's a treasure trove of memories, a symbol of independence, and a sanctuary where we feel most at ease.
It's no wonder that most older Australians strongly desire to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.
However, achieving this is becoming increasingly challenging due to the severe lag in-home aged care services meeting the high demand.
The plight of Barbara, an inner-West Sydney resident, is a stark example of the struggles many Australians face when seeking home care for their elderly loved ones.
After applying for financial aid in the form of a Home Care Package (HCP) for her 91-year-old mother, Barbara was initially told the wait would be three to six months.
‘They said, “Ok, it's ready, but we can't give it to you”,’ said the inner-West Sydney resident.’ she said.
‘The only thing I can do is look for another provider. But then again, as I said, what's the point? They will probably be the same.’
Nearly a year later, she finally received approval for a Level 3 package designed to provide essential advanced care such as cleaning, bathing, and other household services.
Yet, the care promised still needs to be delivered due to chronic understaffing in the sector.
According to Senate estimates from June, wait times for HCPs have soared over the past year, with the number of recipients waiting to receive a package almost doubling from 28,665 to 68,109.
The government's website now lists Level 3 and Level 4 package wait times as 9-12 months, a significant increase from the previous 6-9 months and 1-3 months, respectively.
However, these figures need to account for the 'hidden' delays before approval, such as the time taken for eligibility assessments, which can add months to the already lengthy process.
While waiting for her package, Barbara had no choice but to pay out-of-pocket for care, juggling work commitments and assisting her mother where possible.
The quality of care received during this period was concerning, with some providers needing to meet the standards expected of government-subsidised services.
Rose, a 78-year-old Sydney dialysis recipient, shared a similar tale of frustration and isolation.
‘Monthly, it's going to cost me $106,’ Rose said.
‘That's a lot of money thinking about it.’
After breaking her hip and being approved for a Level 3 HCP, she finds herself alone and struggling to afford the care she needs.
‘I want to try and shower myself,’ Rose added.
‘But if anything should happen, there's no one here…I've mentioned that to [social workers], but they just shrug their shoulders, and that's that.’
With her husband admitted to the hospital long-term, Rose is left to manage domestic tasks with limited mobility and no support.
In the 2020-21 period, over 8,000 people died while waiting for HCPs, and more than 11,000 moved into residential care, often against their wishes.
Despite the 2020 Royal Commission into Aged Care's recommendations for a new, streamlined aged care program, the HCP has remained unchanged.
The Federal Government's allocation of $531.4 million for 24,100 additional Home Care Packages in the 2024-25 Budget is a step in the right direction.
Still, experts warned that the crisis will only persist with a corresponding expansion of the aged care workforce.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced the 'Support at Home' program to replace the HCP and transition to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) by 2027.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Aged Care informed that wait times for Home Care Packages (HCPs) have risen due to an unexpectedly high number of approvals.
‘While waiting for their HCP assignment, older Australians have alternative options,’ the spokesperson noted.
‘They can access aged care services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or through state and privately funded services.’
However, until these changes take effect, the immediate need for fast-tracking home care package delays and ensuring access to appropriate care without out-of-pocket expenses remains critical.
In similar news, Australia's waitlist for home care packages has surged to over 68,000 people.
Department officials have noted that accessing the scheme has become more challenging, attributing the rise in demand partly to cost of living pressures. You can read more about it here.
How has the home-aged care system impacted you and your family? What changes would you like to see to ensure our seniors receive the care they deserve? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
It's no wonder that most older Australians strongly desire to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.
However, achieving this is becoming increasingly challenging due to the severe lag in-home aged care services meeting the high demand.
The plight of Barbara, an inner-West Sydney resident, is a stark example of the struggles many Australians face when seeking home care for their elderly loved ones.
After applying for financial aid in the form of a Home Care Package (HCP) for her 91-year-old mother, Barbara was initially told the wait would be three to six months.
High demand for Home Care Packages in Australia led to long wait times and staff shortages. Credit: Shutterstock
‘They said, “Ok, it's ready, but we can't give it to you”,’ said the inner-West Sydney resident.’ she said.
‘The only thing I can do is look for another provider. But then again, as I said, what's the point? They will probably be the same.’
Nearly a year later, she finally received approval for a Level 3 package designed to provide essential advanced care such as cleaning, bathing, and other household services.
Yet, the care promised still needs to be delivered due to chronic understaffing in the sector.
According to Senate estimates from June, wait times for HCPs have soared over the past year, with the number of recipients waiting to receive a package almost doubling from 28,665 to 68,109.
The government's website now lists Level 3 and Level 4 package wait times as 9-12 months, a significant increase from the previous 6-9 months and 1-3 months, respectively.
However, these figures need to account for the 'hidden' delays before approval, such as the time taken for eligibility assessments, which can add months to the already lengthy process.
While waiting for her package, Barbara had no choice but to pay out-of-pocket for care, juggling work commitments and assisting her mother where possible.
The quality of care received during this period was concerning, with some providers needing to meet the standards expected of government-subsidised services.
Rose, a 78-year-old Sydney dialysis recipient, shared a similar tale of frustration and isolation.
‘Monthly, it's going to cost me $106,’ Rose said.
‘That's a lot of money thinking about it.’
After breaking her hip and being approved for a Level 3 HCP, she finds herself alone and struggling to afford the care she needs.
‘I want to try and shower myself,’ Rose added.
‘But if anything should happen, there's no one here…I've mentioned that to [social workers], but they just shrug their shoulders, and that's that.’
With her husband admitted to the hospital long-term, Rose is left to manage domestic tasks with limited mobility and no support.
In the 2020-21 period, over 8,000 people died while waiting for HCPs, and more than 11,000 moved into residential care, often against their wishes.
Despite the 2020 Royal Commission into Aged Care's recommendations for a new, streamlined aged care program, the HCP has remained unchanged.
The Federal Government's allocation of $531.4 million for 24,100 additional Home Care Packages in the 2024-25 Budget is a step in the right direction.
Still, experts warned that the crisis will only persist with a corresponding expansion of the aged care workforce.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced the 'Support at Home' program to replace the HCP and transition to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) by 2027.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Aged Care informed that wait times for Home Care Packages (HCPs) have risen due to an unexpectedly high number of approvals.
‘While waiting for their HCP assignment, older Australians have alternative options,’ the spokesperson noted.
‘They can access aged care services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or through state and privately funded services.’
However, until these changes take effect, the immediate need for fast-tracking home care package delays and ensuring access to appropriate care without out-of-pocket expenses remains critical.
In similar news, Australia's waitlist for home care packages has surged to over 68,000 people.
Department officials have noted that accessing the scheme has become more challenging, attributing the rise in demand partly to cost of living pressures. You can read more about it here.
