Reform

A powerful new alliance of aged care leaders is urging the government to rethink its reform agenda, warning that merging CHSP into Support at Home could increase costs, reduce access and weaken the community-based supports older Australians rely on.

Corporate project-management expert Michael Goldsworthy sees the “catastrophe” aged care is facing from current crisis. Government must approach sector for a relationship re-do, to build trust and insight, if reform has any hope to land well.

Aged care consultant Lynda Henderson helped design the Integrated Assessment Tool underpinning Support at Home. As a care recipient herself, she now questions how the system works in practice.

The debate over “two-tiered” dining in aged care isn’t new, but it is resurfacing with sharper edges. As expectations rise and funding constraints persist, providers are navigating a delicate balance between offering choice and preserving dignity. The real issue isn’t whether premium options should exist, but how to deliver them in a shared living environment without creating division at the table.

IHACPA has opened a national consultation seeking feedback from providers, workers and consumers to inform pricing advice for the Australian Government’s Support at Home program.

Advocates and GPs remind policymakers that home visit care is central to preventative healthcare strategy. Reducing hospital and RAC strain must be a key focus for the budget ahead.

Australian experts urge caution over AI promises to ‘fix’ aged care. Extensive review into “agetech” companies and marketing message finds troubling results.

The Federal Government has extended the first-quarter claiming deadline under Support at Home from 60 to 90 days following advocacy from Catholic Health Australia, responding to provider concerns about administrative pressure during reform implementation.

Small-town Pyramid Hill in Victoria responded to its aged care facility closing down by rising up. Advocates and experts say this has lessons for how the Federal government should approached aged care management and reform.

Messaging from peak body at industry conference shows rising frustration by provider heads surrounding incomplete and late reform.