By Afraa Kori
For elderly residents in the Hills, staying in their homes is becoming increasingly difficult due to a severe shortage of essential aged care services.
Gembrook resident Linda has spent two years searching for cleaning services for her elderly parents, yet the struggle continues.
Her journey began in 2022 when she first attempted to arrange home care support, hoping to secure a weekly cleaning service for her parents, whose health had deteriorated due to medical conditions.
“They are in their 80’s and the government wants the elderly to stay in their homes, but the services they are entitled to receive are either not available or not enough service providers for our area,” Linda said.
After two years of persistent effort, she has finally managed to find a provider willing to service her parents’ area—just 10 to 15 minutes from Pakenham, in Mt Burnett near Cockatoo.
Currently, her parents receive domestic cleaning services once a week. Despite her dad being entitled to garden and home maintenance, no providers are available to offer these services.
“Dad at 83 years old still tries to clean it up on his roof. On ladders is a major concern,” Linda said.
“Dad being on ladders is a high risk to his safety, he can fall and break a hip or head injury, and that can lead to end of life.”
“Rain water is their only water supply, so gutter cleaning is essential to keep their tanks full, for fire and drinking purposes. Even to get an assessment for them can take between 6-12 months.”
“We are still waiting on assessments to upgrade their needs to receive a package via aged care now, as due to circumstances and medical conditions declining, we now need further help.”
Trying to navigate the system is “very overwhelming and frustrating”, forcing Linda and her sister to step in, balancing their own responsibilities while ensuring their parents receive the support they need.
Cardinia Shire Council’s Ranges Ward Councillor David Nickell said it’s crucial for government agencies and service providers to recognise that travel patterns in the Hills primarily run east to west due to inadequate north to south public transport and poor road conditions.
“Given these transportation challenges, a variety of services should be established in the Hills, similar to those in other regional areas. While some private providers are beginning to address these issues, much more needs to be done to improve accessibility and the availability of services.”
Hon Jason Wood MP said the Coalition has always recognised that rural and regional aged care homes face unique challenges, and need more support from this government.
“That is why we fought for additional funding of $300 million for aged care providers in the bush, who are struggling to remain open under the Albanese Government. Rural, regional and remote homes will also get significantly increased funding for the services they provide people in their care.”
“The Albanese Labor Government has failed to make any headway with a serious workforce shortfall, with Senate Estimates findings that showed the Government is still overseeing an aged care workforce gap of 4,043 registered nurses for the 2024-25 financial year.”
Mr Wood is concerned that rural and regional Australia will be most impacted by the Government’s workforce gap.
“The Government and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have failed to take urgent action to respond to this workforce gap, including by putting appropriate safeguards in place that recognises shallow workforce markets particularly for aged care homes in the bush.”
“Over 2023 alone, we saw 40 aged care homes forced to close under Labor’s watch.
Aged care providers particularly in rural and regional Australia need urgent staffing support, as the Albanese Labor Government fails to make any headway with their serious workforce shortfall.”
“The Government must act on the genuine concerns of the sector and the older Australians in their care.”
“These points collectively demonstrate that the staffing gap is a factor contributing to the shortage of aged care homes in the Hills.”
The Department of Health and Aged Care spokesperson said “the significant challenges facing aged care providers in rural and remote areas are recognised, along with the need to strengthen and support the aged care workforce in these communities”.
“The Government continues to work collaboratively with the sector to ensure the needs of rural and remote clients, and the challenges faced by service providers, are fully considered in future aged care programs and reforms.”
This includes funding for workforce, professional and viability supports, as well as infrastructure funding to support the construction, upgrade and expansion of aged care services in thin markets under the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP).
Additional or varied funding arrangements for services delivered through mainstream aged care programs in regional, rural and remote locations are also in place.
The $5.6 billion aged care reform package announced on 12 September 2024 also incorporated a number of specific thin markets initiatives.
The government’s commitment to a sustainable, in-home aged care system, Support at Home, comes into implementation from 1 July 2025. Support at Home will enable older people to stay in their home and in the community for longer.
