08/05/2019
Aged Care National Day of Action- Tuesday 14th May 2019
As the Federal Election approaches (18th May 2019), the Australian Aged Care Industry is holding a National Day of Action on 14th May 2019.
This day is aimed at ensuring that the voices of 1.3 million elderly Australians receiving aged care support and services, 1.5 million family members and carers and the 366,000 dedicated aged care employees are heard.
What Our Industry Needs from the Newly Elected Government to Ensure Sustainability:
1. Acknowledge that over $3 billion has been removed from residential aged care funding over the last 4 years, causing facilities like Jindalee (who have maintained staff quality and numbers) to operate at a loss. Almost half of all residential aged care facilities are now operating at a loss. This is not sustainable.
2. Fix the funding emergency in residential care and commit to ensuring funding matches the real cost of delivering the high-quality care that residents deserve and Government dictates.
3. Fix the unacceptable impact on older Australians by legislating reasonable wait times for home care services. 128,000 elderly Australians are either waiting for home care packages or not receiving the packages they require. This requires immediate action.
4. Invest in workforce growth and development.
5. Have a Minister for older Australians and aged care in Cabinet and develop a comprehensive national ‘ageing well’ strategy.
6. Commit to implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
What Can You Do to Help?
• Make it known to your friends and family that in order to continue to provide the best quality care and service at Jindalee, we need Government to act now! This must include the introduction of clear policies relating to staff numbers and be accompanied by appropriate levels of funding.
• Engage with your local member and candidates and ask, “What is your position on establishing an aged care system that supports elderly Australians?”
• Support the National Day of Action on 14th May 2019 (more information about this day will be made available to all staff, residents and families by Friday 10th May 2019).
