thermonuclear small claimsDec 13

"Under these reforms, elderly Australians are waiting longer; paying more for aged care than ever before; and getting fewer hours because of higher fees charged by providers."

Glad to see this finally being covered by the media. These changes to aged care were rammed through parliament with no consultation from older people and their family members.

It's a complete overhaul of the system, but it was rolled out in less than a year. Some of the legislation wasn't even finalised until the end of August. It's caused absolute chaos across the sector.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-13/aged-care-package-reform-worse-off-confusion-despair-waitlist/106136364

#auspol #agedcare #ndis

Aged care reforms leave elderly Australians and their loved ones in the lurch

The reforms have unleashed a wave of confusion and despair amongst hundreds of thousands of elderly Australians, from those wanting care to those who already have it.

ABC News
Show threadthermonuclear small claimsDec 13

Rather than increasing care for recipients, this overhaul allows home care providers (the middlemen between the government funding and the care recipient) to gouge even more money out of people.

At the same time, recipients (including pensioners) have to pay more money into the system. Their pensions are paying the middlemen, not covering their basic care needs.

'One pensioner in Victoria with cancer and no savings told the ABC, "co-pay is crippling … the federal government has successfully stopped me from spending my package on services to keep me in my home".'

Show threadthermonuclear small claims
It's also impacting people on NDIS packages, because providers often administer both aged care and NDIS packages. They are overwhelmed with the administrative nightmare that is the new Support at Home scheme, and calls from their disabled clients go unanswered.
Dec 13 at 1:44amWeb
Show threadthermonuclear small claimsDec 13

I'll be blunt: these changes are going to kill people. They are going to result in more elder abuse and poorer quality of life for the most vulnerable members of our society. They're also going to drive more people into aged care: the exact opposite of the stated aims of this legislation.

This is what happens when a government is focused on economic productivity to the exclusion of all else. The "unproductive" members of society become collateral damage.

#auspol #agedcare #royalcomission #homecare #supportathome #ableism #ageism

Show threadMatt GoddenDec 13

@fullfathomfive Yeah, but look at all that value which will be unlocked for property investors, as the elderly are forced to re-mortgage their homes and leave nothing for their children.

I'm sure someone has figured out a way to securitise Home Care recipients.