Don’t make frail aged bear Budget pain

Leaders in the aged care industry called on the Government not to make frail older people the target of cuts in this week’s budget.

“A society is judged by how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. Tomorrow’s  Budget will be a test for the new Rudd Government in terms of its treatment of frail older Australians,” stated Greg Mundy, chief executive officer (CEO) of Aged and Community Services Australia.

“Older people have paid taxes all their lives and don’t deserve to have their enjoyment of their final years sacrificed in the name of economics,” said Rod Young, CEO of Aged Care Association Australia.

“If Government subsidies don’t keep pace with rising costs, services to some of the most vulnerable people in our community will have to be scaled back,”  Mr Young said.

“The top-up indexation currently provided under the Conditional Adjustment Payment will make the difference between nursing home residents having or not having outings and activities that add to the quality of their lives,” said Mr Mundy.

“Just $150 million more per year would help residential and community aged care services maintain current care levels,” Mr Young said.

“There is no scope to absorb a cut when 40% of aged care homes are already operating at a loss, according to the Government’s own figures. With rising demand and rising costs we can’t afford to stand still. There are longer term reforms that must be addressed in aged care such as a lasting solution to capital raising,” Mr Mundy stated. 

“But first we need to ensure that the quality of the services provided to older people does not go backwards because of inadequate Federal Government care funding.”