The data,
provided in response to questions in Senate Estimates, showed
that 3,400 people are awaiting home care packages in the Newcastle-Hunter
region – second only to the South East Sydney region in New South Wales.
Federal Member
for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said home care packages are a critical part of
supporting older Australians with complex care needs to live independently in
their own homes.
“Home care
packages give older Australians support with daily tasks and provide caring
services at home. They are often the difference between living an independent
life at home and moving into a residential aged care facility,” Ms Claydon
said.
“It’s natural
that people want to stay in their own homes as long as possible, especially in
the face of COVID-19. But without the right support, this can’t happen.”
Ms Claydon said
the news compounds the damage inflicted when the Morrison Government excluded
aged care organisations in the Newcastle Hunter region from applying for growth
funding under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
“This news just
adds insult to injury after the Newcastle-Hunter region was one of four regions
in New South Wales that were deemed ineligible for growth funding under the
Commonwealth Home Support Program, which also offers services to older
Australians living in their own homes.
“When I wrote
to the Minister on this matter, he had no answer to my questions as to why our
region was abandoned, instead warning that ineligible organisations have no
right to appeal because departmental decisions ‘are final’.”
Ms Claydon
called on the Morrison Government to rectify the situation.
“The
Newcastle-Hunter region has a higher median age than the national average but
this isn’t reflected in the aged care investment we’re receiving. This isn’t
good enough.
“It’s time for
the Morrison Government to deliver the investment in aged care that older
people in the Newcastle-Hunter region need and deserve.”
