The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes the announcement by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler that 20,000 home care packages will be released immediately.
OPAN has previously called for the release of a minimum 20,000 additional home care packages to reduce the current 87,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care.
OPAN Director of Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy Samantha Edmonds said the announcement is a positive step, but more work must be done to protect and safeguard the interest of older people.
"This is good news especially in advance of the new Aged Care Act commencing on 1 November," Ms Edmonds said.
"Inadequate in-home care support can push older people into hospital and prematurely into residential aged care, which is unfair and avoidable.
"Once an older person has been approved for the appropriate level of in-home support, they typically wait another 12 months to receive it. Untenable delays such as these put older people at significant risk of adverse outcomes. Older people should not have to wait more than 30 days for in home support
"These delays have an adverse impact on a person's dignity and wellbeing. We have a shared responsibility to alleviate this challenge.
"Australia has an ageing population, and it is crucial that our policies and laws are fit-for-purpose in 2025 and beyond. Living independently is a top priority for many older people and the government must deliver this."
