PEAK BODY WELCOMES SCRAPPED CAP ON CLEANING AND GARDENING

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)

Tuesday, 19 November 2024

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has applauded the Australian Government’s announcement today to scrap the caps on cleaning and gardening supports for older people in aged care.

OPAN Director Policy and Systemic Advocacy Samantha Edmonds said this was a sensible decision for the Support at Home program.

“We would like to thank the government for listening to the feedback from older people,” Ms Edmonds said.

“Older people have told us countless times that a cap of 52 hours per annum on cleaning and 18 hours per annum on gardening is woefully inadequate.

“If you are an older person with continence issues, one hour of cleaning a week is simply not enough to keep your home at a hygienic standard. Older people may also require additional gardening for safety reasons, such as fire hazard reduction.”

Ms Edmonds repeated OPAN’s call for the removal of co-contribution payments on personal and respite care to ensure older people did not decline these services due to cost.

“We clearly said in our submission to the Aged Care Bill 2024 that no fees should be charged for personal or respite care,” Ms Edmonds said.

“When older people avoid these services due to cost, it impacts their health and wellbeing and results in further pressure on the healthcare system when they need more advanced care.

“If the government does not remove co-contribution payments, there should be caps to ensure that cost does not present a barrier to accessing these important services.

“We look forward to working further with the government to ensure the voice of older people is heard and understood.”

MEDIA CONTACT

Vicky Roach – 0412 720 025 – vicky.roach@opan.org.au

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