‘Too late’ to rectify concerns with July reforms
Peak aged care body, Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), has welcomed yesterday’s federal government announcement of an additional $40 million to support changes to aged care, but claims funding is “too late” to rectify known problems for many Australians who rely on vital care during the first weeks of the transition to Consumer Directed Care (CDC) on 1 July.
LASA chief executive, Patrick Reid, claims
“We are now less than a week out from one of the most significant changes to aged care funding in recent decades. For nearly two years, LASA has been advocating for additional support for both consumers and providers, realising there are people who will fall between the cracks,” says Patrick Reid, LASA chief executive.
“Throwing money at a problem rarely makes it go away. Industry requires careful consideration of the supports in place to help everyone involved in such a transition. This consideration and the remedies must involve industry peak bodies like LASA,” he adds.
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield, announced that the federal government will provide $40 million to support aged care providers transition to the new Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and the CDC model of home care packages.
This reportedly represents a funding boost of $20 million across more than 1,200 providers from four separate Commonwealth funded community care programmes as they transition into the single, streamlined CHSP.
According to Mr Reid, Minister Fifield publicly “lambasted” providers for not being ready, while yesterday the industry was witness to a “mea culpa” that support has been absent,
“The reality is there simply aren't enough level 3 and 4 packages around to absorb all those who need these packages and the care they represent. So we see consumers languish on level 2 packages subsidised by providers as they await an available higher package,” Mr Reid says.
“LASA members have clients who have been on packages longer than three years; clients who through funding arbitrage have been receiving care above their new budgeted amount, and these are the clients who are struggling.”
According to Mr Reid, LASA members continue to negotiate in “good faith” with consumers around their package requirements but there will undoubtedly be more than a handful who will lose a significant amount of care.
“Lets not waste any more taxpayer money getting this wrong. If the Minister and Department are serious about a co-design approach to solving the issues of aged care, they will work with us and our members to find solutions for struggling providers and consumers,” Mr Reid says.
From 1 July 2015, the CHSP will be the new entry level to aged care services, bringing together Commonwealth Home and Community Care, planned respite from the National Respite for Carers Program, Day Therapy Centres and Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged into one streamlined program.
CHSP providers have already undertaken considerable work to incorporate the new arrangements into their business operations, including program reclassification, new information and reporting requirements and changes to accept referrals from My Aged Care.
Up to $20 million will also be allocated across more than 500 home care package providers to assist with the costs they have incurred in their transition to the CDC model of home care packages.
CDC gives older Australians greater flexibility and choice over the care they receive.
It is also expected to improve transparency for older Australians, who are given a personal budget that clearly outlines all their care and services costs, subsidies, supplements, fees and charges.
The Department of Social Services will reportedly soon contact home care packages providers and CHSP providers with further details.
