JourneyOnline
UnitingCare Australia has encouraged all political parties and Independents to support the aged-care legislation tabled in the Federal Parliament on 14 March.
National Director Lin Hatfield Dodds said the five Bills will provide older Australians with better choice and access to a range of services and supports, regardless of their ability to pay.
These principles are in line with recommendations in the Productivity Commission Report: Caring for Older Australians, released in 2011.
The key principles in that report include:
· universal access to services and care based on need
· the separation of accommodation and care, enabling funding to follow the person
· giving older people information and access to support through a local contact point
· a sustainable service system into the future.
"The UnitingCare network of aged-care services has been engaged in the development of this reform package," Ms Hatfield Dodds said.
"Australia's growing ageing population quite rightly expect that they will have access to the services and supports that will allow them to maintain their health, their autonomy and their dignity as they age.
"Preventable problems like falls and the impact of loneliness and isolation can lead to premature admission to residential care.
"Access to appropriate, affordable housing and support are logical first steps to preventing these basic problems.
"We believe these Bills, if passed, will provide a crucial reform framework that will provide better choice and access to a range of aged-care services and support for older Australians."
