The waiting list for older Australians in need of home care services has once again seen a significant increased. The number of individuals waiting for Home Care Packages has doubled compared to last year. With twice as many people now on the list.
Home care packages provide essential support for older Australians with greater needs, enabling them to maintain their independence within their own homes and communities.
There are four levels of care available for individuals seeking assistance. Level 1 offers up to $10,000 per year for services including allied health, social support, and transportation with some help available for housework and meals. On the other hand, Level 4 provides up to $60,000 per year for personal and social support, as well as a variety of health services for older Australians with complex health, personal, and social who are living at home.
To receive a Home Care Package, older Australians must undergo an Aged Care Assessment. These packages are subject to means testing, requiring users to contribute a daily fee, income-tested fees, and additional charges for services not included in their package.
The federal government sets a limit on the number of home care packages it offers, leading to extended waiting times when demand surpasses supply.
Limited available packages
In December 2023, there were 270,000 older Australians receiving home care packages, making a 14% increase from the previous year in December 2022 – Home Care Packages Program Data Report
The demand for home care packages has been steadily increasing at a rate much higher than the supply of available packages. This has resulted in a compelling growth in the number of older Australians on the waiting list, which has surged from 300,00 to 51,000 – Home Care Packages Program Data Report
After older Australians have been assessed as eligible, it typically takes between one to three months to receive a level 1 or 2 package. However, for a more intensive level 3 or 4 package, the process can take up to 12 months. This timeline does not account for the additional two to six weeks required to undergo an aged care assessment.
The issue is escalating at an alarming rate. According to the latest estimate, nearly 70,000 older Australians are currently on the waiting list for a home care package.
What do older Australians do while waiting?
Frequently, older Australians in need of a package struggle for extended periods, relying on assistance from their family, friends, and local community services.
Due to the limited availability of home care packages, older Australians may be offered lower package levels or basic services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) as they await for approval for their desired package.
This issue has significant implications. Prolonged waiting times for home care packages can result in a decline in health, added stress on families, hospitalisations, unwarranted placement in residential facilities, and a diminished quality of life.
What is driving the increase in demand?
The rise in demand for home and community care can be attributed in part to the ageing demographic in Australia. The country is experiencing a rapid increase in its population. In 1970, only about 8% of the population was over the age of 65.
By 2026, the percentage of people aged 80 and over is projected to exceed 22%, leading to a significant rise in the demand for home care services. This demographic group is expected to be the highest users of home care in the next decade.
However, other factors play a significant role in this trend. These factors include rising living expenses, decreased access to informal caregiving, and the preference of older Australians to receive care in their own home rather than in a facility.
Concerns regarding home care packages have been a persistent issue. In addition to lengthy wait times, the process remains complex and difficult to navigate.
There has been a compelling increase in the number of home care providers, yet there is a lack of a local or regional management structure in place to protect the interests of older Australians.
There are also concerns about value for money and inadequate training levels for home care staff.
Many of the issues discussed were identified in the Royal Commission on Aged Care Quality and Safety, which concluded its investigation in 2021.
What were the recommendations made by the commission?
The commission’s most crucial recommendation was for the implementation of a timely and universal entitlement to aged care. This would ensure that every older Australian has access to the necessary level of care and support they require.
The commission has recommended a more efficient assessment process for home care to enhance accessibility. This includes:
- the introduction of a unified home care program that merges existing support and package programs, set to be implemented next year.
- a new funding model will be established to align with the funding available for individuals entering residential care.
- Various service enhancements will be made, such as improved access to allied health services.
The federal government has not met the commission’s fundamental recommendation that older Australians receive timely access to the necessary level of care within a month.
The proposed new home care program has not yet been implemented, waiting lists and times continue to increase and the new system design has not been finalised.
Furthermore, the increasing number of home care providers, challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, and the lack of advancements in training, supervision, and staff development requirements exacerbate the situation.
The majority of older Australians express a strong desire to maintain their independence by living in their own homes for as long as they can. In the immediate future, it is imperative for the federal government to ensure that there is a balance between the demand and supply for home care packages.
In the near future, we must prioritise the implementation of the recommendations outlined by the royal commission. This will require a significant increase in our effects to ensure that these recommendations are effectively put into action.