Australia continues to improve its aged care policy and serve its seniors with the recent addition of over 40 thousand home care packages to the 270 thousand already subscribed to by Australia’s aged citizens. Given the importance of these packages and the speed with which they have been availed to the citizens, the Australian government can be commended for its important provision for the growing aged population of the country.
Government Subsidies and Support
Over the past few years, the Australian government has provided more than 1 billion dollars to cover the associated costs of these packages. This is more than 32 thousand dollars per recipient per year. Along with this, the families who receive these packages also spare some money which can be utilized to ensure more elderly citizens have access to Australia’s aged care. Furthermore, these elderly citizens do not need to limit themselves to residential aged care facilities.
Newly Released Packages
Approximately 40 thousand new packages were added recently, with the intent to decrease the ever growing wait time of citizens needing access to immediate care. Using the basis of the set level of 32 thousand dollars subsidy, these new packages could hugely decrease the wait time for proper aged care, providing each person who qualifies with proper home care access.
Overall, the Home Care Packages Australia provides is undoubtedly some of the most aged care Australian citizens can receive, and with these new packages it marks a new level of funding allocated to the aged care system of Australia. Considering the average program cost of $32,000, we expect the annual expenditure to be above $8.6 billion. This figure showcases both the magnitude of the funding and the urgent need for in-home care.
Added Flexibility for Families
Advocates for aged care support the funding, observing that an increasing number of seniors prefer in-home care over entering residential facilities. The broader package suite enables older individuals and their families to choose the type of support required, whether it be assistance with daily activities, medical care, transportation, or social integration.
Responding to Workforce Issues
Also, while an increase in funding is broadly supported, the staff shortages that underpin aged care are understood to be major impediments to the effective delivery of such care. The aged care workforce shortage grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and activists believe that demand will exceed supply unless the sector attracts and retains more skilled workers, irrespective of the financial investment.
Australia Home Care News
Continued development of home care services shows that Australia intends to allow seniors to age in place with dignity and independence. The government has both opportunities and challenges offered by more funding, access, and changes promised in the coming years, especially in the affordability, sustainability and service quality of the aged care system.