Tasmanian seniors are “languishing in limbo” thanks to growing waiting lists for the federal government’s Home Care Packages program, according to Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Labor senator took aim at the Turnbull government for not announcing more packages in the Mid Year Economic and Financial Outlook, despite the waiting list having “grown by 10,000 since September”.
The program provides in-home care and support services for elderly Australians in need of assistance.
Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt said “home-based aged care is a top Turnbull government priority”.
“We understand and fully support the need for more high-level home care and announced a further 6000 level three and four packages on September 14, which are currently being allocated,” he said.
“We are rolling out up to 2500 new home care packages a week, including almost 600 to Tasmanian seniors during the September quarter.”
More than 100,000 elderly Australians are on the waiting list for the program, with 2391 of them coming from Tasmania, according to the Department of Health.
You're telling a 92-year-old man that he will wait 18 months, but I'm sorry there's no guarantee you'll have a 92 year old man stay around for 18 months.
- Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley
Applicants are classified into four levels, with level four signifying the highest need for care.
Close to 80,000 of the waiting list, and 1811 in Tasmania, are classed as being at level three or four.
Many of the seniors classified as needing level three or four assistance suffer from dementia, according to Senator Polley.
“The Turnbull government’s own website says that most of these vulnerable older Australians will be waiting more than a year for a package, and this is totally unacceptable,” she said.
“You're telling a 92-year-old man that he will wait 18 months, but I'm sorry there's no guarantee you'll have a 92 year old man stay around for 18 months.”
However, Mr Wyatt said some Tasmanians on the waiting list are receiving care.
“At present, more than 32 per cent of Tasmanians listed on the national home care queue are receiving interim care,” he said.
Tasmania Liberal Senator David Bushby said aged care is a top priority of his.
“I am proud to be part of a government working hard to extend home care options and services,” he said.
“Our aged care reforms are focussed on minimising wait times, with people in greatest need prioritised through the revamped My Aged Care system.”
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
