The Minister appeared on 4BC last Thursday (10 April) to answer listeners' questions about aged care and sport ahead of the Federal Election on 3 May, but the interview quickly turned into an 'aged care explainer' that highlighted the extent of community confusion about the system.
"The theme of these questions is that the system's impenetrable," the Minister for Aged Care and Sport eventually conceded towards the interview’s conclusion.
Caller Wayne asked why his mother paid $325 to get into residential aged care while his mother-in-law is being asked to pay $750,000.
The Aged Care Minister gave a thorough explanation of the difference between Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) and Daily Accommodation Payments (DAPs), but it was unlikely to enlighten the listener.
Next, caller Derry explained the difficulties he was having helping his neighbour find assistance with mowing her lawn. The two were tossed between 'aged care' and 'home care' with little understanding of the difference.
The Minister then explained the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Later, pensioner Janice told the Minister she and her husband have no savings, and she asked how they will be able to afford to move into a retirement village when they can no longer look after themselves. The Minister said the Government will always cover the cost of clinical care.
With the interview heading off the rails, host Peter Fegan said, "There are a lot of older people in Australia. We need to simplify this."
The Minister agreed the aged care system is "so hard to navigate ... We need the system to be clearer, and easier to navigate."
One of the stated aims of the incoming reforms is to make the aged care system simpler.
Will it be?
At a recent Department of Health and Aged Care webinar, Susan Trainor, Assistant Secretary, Contributions and Accommodation Reform, was asked if the new fee structure in aged care is simpler. Her answer was telling.
"One of the things that became clear as ... Government went through the process of trying to set new arrangements and thresholds and fee levels, sometimes that simplicity and fairness came into conflict with one another, and I think it's probably fair to say that where they have come into conflict with one another fairness has probably taken priority. We do know that there's quite a lot to understand in the new system."
