Care Disrupter Welcomes Federal Government’s Reforms
Aged care service, CareAbout, has urged the Federal Government to introduce urgently its reforms to the governance and funding of the $20 billion aged care and home care sector.
The government today announced a series of initiatives, featuring more than $100 million in increased funding to improve quality and standards of care and improved auditing of nursing homes.
Ms Kyra-Bae Snell, Executive Director of CareAbout said "We have seen first-hand the variance in care, fees and service in Aged Care Homes with providers charging for services that residents aren’t using, similar to what’s been seen in the banking industry.
"We welcome greater transparency in the sector. Residents and families need to know what is going on behind closed doors. We can never have another Oakden horror story" she added.
CareAbout is providing advice, advocacy, comparison and selection from providers and has helped more than 10,000 people over recent months, many of whom are navigating their way through the expanding maze of government schemes, providers and aged care homes.
Many of the customers are seeking help, citing poor service, high and confusing fees and poor communication. It’s hard to know who to trust and who will provide the care you expect.
CareAbout provides free advice across a select panel of proven and experienced home care providers or for consumers wanting aged care facilities, advice is via a flat fee and includes all aged care facilities.
It is estimated that 1.3 million Australians are now being supplied with aged care services, with the sector representing about 1 per cent of Australia’s GDP and revenue worth more than $20 billion.
Ms Snell concluded "Making the wrong decision can not only lead to reduced quality of life but can also cost consumers thousands of dollars and in many cases we have saved $50,000 for our customers, negotiating lower rates on entry to an aged care facility", she added.
