Letter, The Age
The federal government cut payments to aged care by $1.2 billion over four to help curb a predicted blowout in costs. Aged care providers are predictably are up in arms. Unfortunately, government subsidies often serves the interests of the providers more than residents.
Under the current arrangements, the providers do their own assessments of residents. When a resident is reclassified as requiring a higher level of care, the provider receives more money from the federal government. However, staffing levels rarely change nor are extra services provided to the resident. One in eight claims are reportedly incorrect.
The Aged Care Funding Instrument is based on residents’ level of care rather than ‘restorative care’. There is no financial incentive for providers to introduce services such as strength training or lifestyle programs that would improve residents’ quality of life.
The funding of aged care homes requires greater scrutiny and transparency to ensure the best possible care for frail, elderly people.
Sarah Russell, Northcote