Older people across Australia continue to experience delays and unacceptable challenges with the Support at Home program, with ABC Four Corners bringing national attention to critical issues that need urgent reform.
Ongoing areas of concern include the use of a controversial algorithm associated with the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) which determines priority and allocates funding levels for an older person, along with unacceptably long wait times to be assessed, reassessed and to receive the full package approved for funding.
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) CEO Craig Gear said the recent media coverage is a powerful reminder of the need for urgent changes to be made.
“We continue to hear directly from older people about issues in aged care, which will continue to worsen unless changes are made,” Mr Gear said.
“The problems highlighted last night are the same ones that our advocates have been hearing since day one.
“Support at Home is well intentioned but it is abundantly clear that the program is not reaching its intent for too many older people.”
Read the full media release.