Aging Australians face a long wait for aged care assessments, with a national queue of over 121,000 people waiting for support. This situation has been exacerbated by the recent privatization of the aged care assessment system, which was intended to streamline the process. However, the system is now facing criticism for its slow response times and potential dehumanization of the assessment process.
Peter O'Shannessy, a 74-year-old man who underwent throat cancer surgery, was approved for a level-three home care package. However, due to the long wait times, his family was unable to receive the necessary support when he needed it most. This situation highlights the challenges faced by older Australians in accessing aged care services.
The aged care royal commission recommended a streamlining of assessments into a single assessment scheme, but it did not recommend privatization. Despite this, the government has contracted more than half of the assessment companies to also provide services, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The privatization of the system has also led to pressure on assessors to complete assessments quickly, with some companies implementing a practice that could result in elderly people being dropped from the waiting list if they don't respond to phone calls in time. This practice has been criticized for its potential negative impact on vulnerable elderly Australians.
The situation has left families at breaking point, with many clients calling for help to try to get assessments done more quickly. The Department of Health and some newly contracted companies have been criticized for their unpreparedness and lack of knowledge and expertise in assessing older people with complex needs.
Despite the challenges, the government has defended its approach, citing a median wait time of 23 days for aged care assessments. However, the situation remains a concern for families and advocates, who fear for the well-being of vulnerable elderly Australians.
