As the new Aged Care changes came into force on November 1, there have been significant issues – as predicted. The system has become more complicated to navigate, access, and use, and increasingly unaffordable. Combined waitlists for assessment and approved funding are over 200,000 people.
Older Australians are suffering significant anxiety and stress as they face higher costs for essential care and services, whether at home or in residential aged care. This is placing severe emotional pressure on our elders.
Full Pensioners are under crushing stress trying to find money to pay contributions for each home care service (excluding clinical care). Previously, those on a full government pension were deemed financially disadvantaged and exempt from paying any contribution.
The cost of residential aged care is also eye-opening for people. Not long ago, $500,000 was considered a solid amount for a bed in inner Brisbane. Now, people are shocked to find that $800,000-plus is not unusual. Add daily fees.
Providers are not to blame – they are simply implementing Government rules. They are left to have difficult conversations with older people and their families about rules they often do not agree with either. Significant taxpayer dollars were spent to redesign a system that was not fundamentally broken, rather than focusing resources on existing areas that genuinely needed improvement and spending money on increased funding for older people.
In November, the Senate voted to launch two new inquiries into aged care, driven by the Greens. The first investigates the planned transition of CHSP into the “Support at Home” program, and the second investigates the ability for older people to access and afford care under “Support at Home”.
Christmas is here and for some, it can be a sad and isolating time, particularly for older people living alone. It takes a village – please reach out to someone you know who may be feeling isolated and have a chat or share a cuppa. Merry Christmas to all and see you in 2026.
This article by Julia McCarthy appeared in the December 2025 edition of Village Voice.