$662 million boost in record funding to strengthen aged care

12/2/2019

$662 million boost in record funding to strengthen aged care

Wide Bay seniors will have improved access to aged care, with an additional $662 million for essential aged care services around Australia including 10,000 home care packages nationally, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

“People in Wide Bay will have better access to aged care as a result of this funding, which enables more people to access care sooner, and will benefit people who are waiting for a home care package,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This means Wide Bay’s elderly will receive the support they require earlier, so they can remain living in the comfort and security of their own home for longer.”

Mr O’Brien said the funding is part of the Liberal National Government’s More Choices for a Longer Life program.

“This significant investment builds on the Government’s $562 million aged care boost in the December Budget update and our annual aged care funding increases of approximately $1 billion a year since 2013, and it further strengthens the safety, quality and transparency of the services provided,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It is a major win for senior Australians and for Wide Bay with its ageing population, delivering the services and security our local people deserve, whether in their own homes or in a residential aged care facility.”

Liberal Nationals Government is boosting in home care, through an additional 10,000 home care packages across all levels, at a cost of $282.4 million.

There is also $7.7 million in new funding to enhance the safety, quality and integrity of home care, and $35.7 million for home care supplements for dementia and cognition and veterans

As well, senior Australians receiving residential aged care services will benefit from:

• Increased support for aged care providers, with a $320 million general subsidy boost in 2018–19
• A $4.6 million trial of a new residential care funding tool to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument
• A $4.2 million mandatory national aged care quality indicator program

Both residential and home care providers will be supported through a new $7.4 million business advisory service, to help improve their operations.

“The immediate $320 million increase in subsidy payments will help strengthen the viability of residential aged care services,” Mr O’Brien said.

Building on our Government’s record commitment to aged care transparency, a new compulsory quality indicator program is being implemented.  The program will enable publication of a national report on the quality indicator results.

Further on 17 December 2018, the Government announced 10,000 additional home care packages, reduced home care fees to keep more money in the pockets of senior Australians, increased viability supplements for residential aged care, and a $98 million fee incentive for doctors visiting aged care homes:

“Thanks to the Liberal Nationals Government’s strong economic management, we have announced an additional 40,000 home care packages and $115 million to grow the Commonwealth Home Support Program in the past year,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This is about choices for a longer life – giving older Australians more aged care options and supporting them to live independently for as long as possible.”