Senior Australians living on the Sunshine Coast will receive more support, thanks to a half-billion dollar aged care funding boost by the Liberal National Government, including the release of 10,000 high-level home care packages within weeks.
“Our Government will also ease the cost of living for local seniors receiving home care, by reducing the daily maximum fees payable by up to $400 a year,” said Ted O’Brien MP, Member for Fairfax.
“We understand local people’s preference to receive aged care services in their own homes and to live independently for as long as possible.
“The home care expansion is on top of the extra 20,000 packages funded in the past year, which combined will result in a record 40 per cent increase in the people receiving home care packages.”
The maximum basic daily fees payable for home care on the Sunshine Coast will be reduced by $400 a year for Level One packages, $200 a year for Level Two packages and $100 a year for Level Three packages.
“Our Government will top up payments to providers on behalf of local seniors, to ensure there are no reductions in levels of service,” said Mr O’Brien.
The $287 million release of additional high-level packages is supported by another important initiative to improve services for senior Australians receiving residential aged care.
“We are investing $98 million to fund increased payments for GPs to treat patients in local aged care homes,” said Mr O’Brien.
“We recognise the important role local doctors play in supporting the health and care of people in residential care.
“Our Government is also investing more in providers who support senior Australians living in rural and remote areas and people from homeless backgrounds.
“These providers face unique circumstances and cost pressures and we want to ensure their sustainability.”
The Viability Supplement for eligible residential aged care providers is to be increased by 30 per cent, through an investment of $101.9 million.
Currently, more than 550 services, accounting for around 13,500 residential care places, receive the Viability Supplement to offset higher care costs in regional areas.
The Homeless Supplement will also be increased by 30 per cent, through a $9.3 million funding injection. Currently, 42 residential services receive the homeless supplement on behalf of more than 1,700 residents.
“Our Government is determined to continue improving aged care at every opportunity, to help ensure local senior Australians receive the care they want and deserve, where and when they need it,” said Mr O’Brien.
“We have invested and extra $1 billion a year in aged care services since 2013 and are continuing our record investment, through the 2018-19 Budget’s $5 billion boost over the next four years.
“Even as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety goes about its important work, our reform agenda will continue at full pace.”