Aging Australians face a long wait for aged care assessments, highlighting a critical issue in the system. When Peter O'Shannessy returned home from the hospital in January, he required extensive support due to throat cancer surgery. Despite being approved for a level-three home care package, including essential medical equipment and a personal carer, the family faced a seven- to nine-month wait for assistance. This delay became even more dire when the cancer returned, and Peter's condition worsened. The family sought a reassessment, but the process was slow, and Peter died before receiving the urgent care he needed. This story underscores the challenges faced by many older Australians, who are left waiting for essential support, often with dire consequences. The privatization of aged care assessments, a move costing over $1.2 billion, has led to a backlog of over 116,000 people waiting for assessments. This shift from state-based Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) to private companies like Aspire4Life has raised concerns about the quality and timeliness of care. Families are at breaking point, with clients calling for faster assessments and support. The pressure on assessors is evident, with some feeling compelled to rush through assessments to meet deadlines. A controversial practice involves dropping clients from the waiting list if they don't respond to phone calls, causing distress and potential harm. The aged care royal commission's 2021 report recommended streamlining assessments but not privatization. Despite this, the government's KPIs for private companies include rapid response times and face-to-face assessments, which may not be fully enforced. The story of Peter's family serves as a stark reminder of the human impact of these systemic issues, leaving a profound impact on those affected and raising questions about the future of aged care in Australia.
