Rationing aged care fails older Aussies
Almost a third of older people requiring aged care still wait three months to receive it, according to new independent figures on the status of Australia’s aged care system.
Almost a third of older people requiring aged care still wait three months to receive it, according to new independent figures on the status of Australia’s aged care system.
Released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) recently, the figures show why it is critical to end the arbitrary system which rations aged care places rather than providing immediate care to those that need it.
Ian Yates, COTA Australia chief executive, said, as a result, too many older people were waiting too long for appropriate care.
“When an older person is assessed as requiring care, it means they are in need of immediate support in their daily living and three months is just too long to have to wait for assistance,” he said.
He claimed the result of the aged care wait was pressure on hospitals, families, partners, and unnecessary stress and anxiety for the older person.
“Bringing an end to the rationing of aged care places, as recommended by the Productivity Commission and broadly supported by the aged care sector, is key to providing the care out loved ones need, when they need it,” Mr Yates said.
COTA Australia is now calling for the federal government to actively look to the abolition of aged care rationing.
“As a start, the inadequacy of the aged care system should be considered in the recently announced Commission of Audit.”
The system allows only the first 113 people in 1,000 over 70 years a right to a care place. While this is progressively being lifted to 125 per 1,000 by 2011, it will still leave many frail older people in need.
“Our parents and grandparents deserve to be treated better in the later years of their lives,” Mr Yates said.
