The leader of Australia’s largest home care provider has warned the Federal Government’s decision to delay the release of tens of thousands of Home Care Packages could cause serious harm to older Australians.

In an op-ed published in The Australian, Prue Bowden – Group Executive, Home Health, at Australian Unity – said the four-month deferral of 83,000 Packages until 1 November would prolong suffering and increase pressure on families and hospitals.

While Prue said the decision to delay the rollout of Support at Home was "sensible", she criticised the accompanying move to delay the release of additional packages.

Prue gave the example of Jenny*, who was assessed as needing a Level 3 Home Care Package in February 2024.

16 months later, Jenny is still waiting. Her dementia has worsened, she has suffered a fall and broken her wrist, and is relying on her daughter, who lives an hour away, for support. 

Bowden said Jenny’s story reflects a growing crisis in access to home care, with more than 83,000 older people estimated to be waiting for care at their assessed level. The planned delay, she said, will add another 4,000 people to that list, pushing the number to over 87,000.

“These are people who need support now, not in a year’s time.”

She called on the Government to honour its previously scheduled 1 July release of new Home Care Packages and recommended an immediate, targeted release of 20,000 Packages to relieve pressure, echoing recent calls by independent MPs.

Prue also reiterated the Royal Commission’s call to de-ration home care entirely, removing the current caps on access to support services.

* A pseudonym.

Read the full article here (paywall).