Visit an aged care service to see why funding cuts will hurt

Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) is calling on all Federal Election candidates to visit an aged care service on ACSA 2016 National Open Day on Friday, June 17 to see the excellent care provided and understand the real impact of proposed funding cuts.

ACSA CEO Adj Prof John Kelly said elderly, frail residents of aged care facilities will bear the brunt of the $1.2 billion cuts announced in the 2016/17 Budget, and because of this ACSA has commenced the Old, frail and invisible campaign.

“Residential aged care is a necessity for hundreds of thousands of Australians, who for a range of reasons can no longer live in their homes,” he said. “It is incumbent upon us all to ensure that residential aged care is the best it can be and that can’t happen under this Budget.”

ACSA’s Old, frail and invisible campaign is demanding a halt to the 2016/17 proposed Budget cuts and a review of the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI); a transition fund to support providers in the move towards more home care to ensure services are available and accessible; and finalisation of the National Aged Services Workforce Strategy with funding to guarantee a qualified workforce into the future.

The National Open Day will give candidates and members of the public the opportunity to visit aged care facilities and see why every cent counts. www.nationalopenday.com.au/attend-an-event-1

Prof Kelly said visiting a local aged care service will provide some real insight into what is involved in supporting, catering, entertaining and caring for residents, all individuals with different needs; and prompt genuine consideration of what it might cost to fund each aspect of life in aged care, including a dedicated workforce.

“I urge candidates to make time to visit an aged care home and support our campaign to ensure the skilled staff, services and care, in our own homes or in residential care, are there now and when we need them in the future,” Prof Kelly said.

He advised candidates unable to attend the National Open Day to make an appointment to visit an aged care service ahead of the Election.

For more on ACSA’s Federal Election campaign, Old, frail and invisible, and what the cuts will mean for elderly Australians visit: www.agedcare.org.au/acsa-federal-campaign and www.facebook.com/ACSACampaign2016

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