CEOs, politicians, experts, and advocates hit the airwaves on Tuesday detailing aged care's funding problems and how the recommendations in the Taskforce's Final Report offer a solution and scaffold for future policy.
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells held a press conference in Brisbane at 10am (pictured above). Aged and Community Care Providers Association CEO Tom Symondson appeared on breakfast TV, radio in every state, and the 4pm and 6pm news. StewartBrown Senior Partner Grant Corderoy appeared in back-to-back webinars, including DCM Group's Final Report of the Aged Care Taskforce Recommendations Unpacked webinar.
The sector is keen to see the detail in Government policy and legislation - with response from the sector favourable.
ACCPA - recommendations will help deliver better care
Half of residential aged care providers are losing money on every resident, said ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson (pictured top left).
“Chronic underfunding of aged care goes back decades, and has made the sector unsustainable,” he said.
"We need a sector that’s set up to improve the lives of older Australians... They deserve better, and the recommendations of the Taskforce will help deliver that.
“The unavoidable truth is that aged care needs far greater investment to deliver the services the Royal Commission challenged us to provide, and that community expects."
Benetas - education required
Not For Profit residential aged care and home care provider Benetas said it "encourages" the Government to implement the Taskforce's recommendations "quickly" to create a more "equitable" system.
"The recommendation to increase consumer co-contributions for those who can afford it, while ensuring appropriate protection for those who need assistance, is essential to supporting the long term viability of the sector," said Benetas CEO Sandra Hills OAM (pictured top right).
"The sustainability of our sector and its ability to support our ageing population into the future is a key issue facing our industry.
"We need more education for older Australians and their families regarding the true cost of care delivery in residential and home care settings. Greater transparency of the true asset position of consumers, including superannuation savings, is an important first step in helping to increase funding for the sector to support innovation."
She said a means test is a simpler and far less administratively burdensome way of increasing funding, allowing providers to concentrate on essential service delivery and caring for residents.
"Other welcomed recommendations in the report include allowing providers to retain a portion of the Refundable Accommodation Deposit to support immediate improvement to sector financial sustainability, encouraging greater clarity for consumers regarding coverage of services in home care, and measures to support thin markets."
Catholic Health Australia - rural and regional homes need investment
Catholic Health Australia, which represents more than 350 aged care homes, or 12% of all aged care homes across Australia, and around 20% of home care and support services for older people, urged the Government to "swiftly implement" the recommendations.
“With most aged care providers running at a loss, these sensible and responsible reforms are urgently needed so they can continue to invest and provide quality care for all Australians - whether they be in a city, regional town or remote community,” said Catholic Health Australia CEO Jason Kara.
“As our population ages and more people seek aged care, services will need additional funding to upgrade existing facilities and invest in new places.
“The fairest way to deliver extra funding is to ask people who can afford it to contribute more for their accommodation and living expenses, costs they have covered over their adult lives.
“We commend the government for having the courage to tackle this important issue head on."
St Vincent’s Health Australia - adopt recommendations "in full"
St Vincent’s Health Australia, which operates 26 are care homes and home care services in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland and is Australia largest Not For Profit health and aged care services provider, called on the Government to adopt the report's recommendations "in full".
“Asking older Australians with means to contribute to their accommodation and daily costs of life - while government remains the majority funder of their care - is fair and meets the community's expectations," said Lincoln Hopper (pictured below left), CEO of St Vincent’s Care a service of St Vincent's Health Australia.
“The reforms proposed by the Taskforce will set up the aged care system to be sustainable for the next generation. We now call on the government to adopt the report’s recommendations in full.
“As a purpose-driven organisation, we’re particularly focussed on the Taskforce’s recommendations to ensure a strong aged care safety net. We think what this report is proposing will achieve that."
Juniper CEO Russell Bicknell - important reform guide
"The report is a crucial step towards building a financially sustainable aged care system where every older Australian can receive the care they deserve," he said.
The Not For Profit WA operator called on the Australian Government to "respond to the Taskforce Report promptly and release the financial chapter of the new (Aged Care) Act to further advance reform efforts.