Get involved – have a say in aged care reform

Support at Home

Older people have told us for a long time that the current home care arrangements with several different programs and two different assessment services is confusing, often inconsistent, and inefficient.  We are pleased that the Federal Government is changing how aged care will support older people to live in their own homes. The new program, called Support at Home, will start from 1 July 2023. Government has released a paper, Support at Home Program Overview. Also available is a shorter summary overview .  These papers provide government’s thoughts about key elements of the program.

We need your input and help in planning Support at Home

COTA Australia will be hosting several online focus discussions. Our discussions will focus on exploring what older people, their families and friends think about the new program. More particularly, we want to be informed about how the program can be designed and implemented to ensure the best health and wellbeing outcomes for those receiving services.

We are keen to ensure our discussions are planned with input from the people who will be most affected by the change.  As a first step, we invite you to respond to our 5 minute survey. The purpose of which is receive your comments about:

  1. What you know about the new Support at Home Program
  2. What you would like to know more about

Here is a link to the survey:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DS39379

Your feedback will inform the content of our online discussions. We will work with you to share your thoughts and views about the new program with the Federal Government.

Department of Health consultation opportunities

We know that many older Australians are keen to be involved in aged care reform, especially sharing their own or their family or friends’ experiences and want to contribute ideas about how to improve the quality of aged care and how to make the experience of it much better.

We have been encouraging people to register for the Department of Health’s

online Engagement Hub.  The Hub a webpage where older Australians, workers, aged care providers and peak bodies like COTA Australia can register their interest to engage in the reform process. Sign up to receive the latest information on opportunities to participate in consultations.

New accommodation design standards for residential aged care

The Government is asking for older Australians and their families to have a say on what is important to them in creating safer, more innovative aged care accommodation.  We encourage you to fill in this short survey and offer your views. More information about the survey in available at https://consultations.health.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care/new-accommodation-design-standards-for-residential/.  This survey closes on 20 April 2022

For those people who are not comfortable online, you can participate in some of the consultation opportunities by calling 1800 318 209.  You can also request a paper copy of surveys with a reply-paid envelope or ask for assistance to fill in the survey.

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