Residential aged care: Proposed alternative models for allocating places - Australian Government Department of Health

Response 278349190

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1. We would like your permission to publish your online survey responses to the discussion paper. Please indicate your publishing preference:

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Publish response (include both my name and organisation's name)

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Before you start, please tell us about yourself

5. What stakeholder category do you most identify with?

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Consumer

Carer or other consumer representative

Consumer advocacy organisation

Consumer peak body

Carer peak body

Approved provider of residential aged care

Approved provider of flexible aged care

Approved provider of home care

Aged care provider peak body

Provider of private aged care or seniors accommodation

Aged Care Assessment Team/Service

Aged care worker

Health professional

Workforce association or union

Primary Health Network

State and territory government

Local council

Commonwealth agency

Lender or investor/financier

Other

6. Where does your organisation operate (if applicable)? Otherwise, where do you live?

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New South Wales

Australian Capital Territory

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

Northern Territory

Tasmania

All states and territories in Australia

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In a remote area

In a rural area

In a regional area

In a metropolitan area or major city

Current arrangements

7. What works well under the current residential aged care allocation and places management model for consumers and/or providers?

Strengths of current arrangements for consumers

Respite arrangements can allow consumers to check places out before committing .

Lots of choice if living in city area

8. Are there other issue/s with the current model for the allocation and management of places for residential aged care that have not been covered in this paper?

Other issues with current arrangements for consumers

Need a completely different model for young people who may be in the 20's and 30's . Either more accommodation in the community or a facility that is more intergrated with the community

Design principles for alternative allocation models

9. Are the proposed design principles appropriate?

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Yes

10. Are there any other principles that you consider should be included?

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Yes

Please elaborate on your response

Need to also consider the waiting periods involved with getting assessed and receiving home based care . Without including this data a real picture of potential under supply won't be identified

Model 1: Improve the ACAR and places management - Key design considerations

12. How can this model ensure/encourage adequate supply of and equitable access to residential aged care and residential respite care (aside from increasing funding or revising the funding model), including:

in rural, regional and remote areas and other thin markets?

I AM NOT SURE IF THIS MODEL DOES ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE A SUPPLY IN REGIONAL AREAS

for consumers from vulnerable cohorts (such as Special Needs Groups, consumers with dementia)?

Consumers who have dementia or other special needs may be regarded as more expensive - given that the model does not recognise this it may not adequately service the demand

Model 2: Assign residential aged care places to consumers - Key design considerations (consumers)

20. What are your views on the establishment of a queue to access subsidised residential aged care, if the demand from eligible persons exceeds the available places?

There is already a queue for packages and CHSP would not want to see this replicated in age care . Currently people waiting can effectively wait for 18 months

21. What are your views on using date of approval and urgency of need as factors in determining a person’s priority (noting these are the factors used in home care)?

Problem with date of approval is that being assessed is not a quick process it essentially may add a waiting period . Can see the point about urgency of need but I think what needs to be considered also is their current available support networks , carer burnout and their potentially reducing independance

22. What other factors should also be included in the criteria for prioritising a person in the residential aged care queue?

Effect on family or carers who are continuing to support .
Reduced independence of the person
Social Isolation

23. What are your views on the validity period of the assigned place for residential aged care?

Given they may have memory problems and may be facing a significant move I would say up to a year

24. Where a place is withdrawn, how can we balance the need to allow consumers to re-join the queue while also avoiding creation of perverse incentives for people to join the queue without intention of taking up a place at that time?

Consumers should be allow to re join the queue without being penalised at any time . It should not have long term consequences given people's health issues change often

25. What additional information or supports would consumers need to assist them in selecting a preferred aged care home?

Additional info that allows them to assess if it is a good fit for them , knowledge of staff types and hours . Checklists and expectations
Meeting people who have gone through the process of deciding

26. What would need to be in place to ensure equitable access to appropriate services when requesting entry to an aged care home i.e. in particular for consumers with limited capacity to pay, consumers from Special Needs Groups and those with dementia?

Funded places