The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has reported receiving more than 27,000 calls from older people, families, and carers concerned about issues with aged care in the 12 months to June 2022.
A total of 27,104 information and advocacy cases – up 17% on the previous year – were received by OPAN’s member organisations over the 12 months, the group said in its second annual Presenting Issues report.
49% of these cases related to Home Care Packages, while 39% were regarding residential care, 9% CHSP, and 3% respite, transitional and short-term restorative care.
The five key themes across the reports were workforce shortages, poor-quality care, fees and charges, lack of transparency and communication, and inappropriate use of guardianship and attorney powers.
“The
case studies documented in this report fall far below what older people, their families and carers, and the wider community would expect,” said OPAN CEO Craig Gear (pictured).
“There are harrowing stories of abuse and neglect, multiple instances of financial mismanagement, cancellation of crucial services and calls to service providers that went unanswered.”
The full report is available online.
