What the Budget means for Aged Care

[vc_row][vc_column][us_post_title][vc_column_text]Every Australian regardless of their age is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. One of the most important things we need to do as a nation is look after our older Australians.

The Turnbull Government’s record on aged care is strong and we are implementing some important new initiatives in the 2018 budget:

• We are establishing an independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to monitor aged care providers and ensure they are delivering quality care.

• We are going to better support Australians who choose to stay in their own homes by introducing a further 20,000 high-level home care packages.

• We are making the process of accessing aged care services easier and quicker. The

My Aged Care website is going to become more user-friendly and physical forms less complicated to fill out. We understand that not every older Australian wishes to use an online system and that many people want help from a real person, so $7.4 million will go towards assistance services to help people navigate the system.

• $100 million is going towards mental health services for older Australians. That means more counselling services will be available and there will be community

initiatives to connect people who might feel lonely or isolated which can be a problem for some older Australians.

Since the Coalition Government was elected, aged care spending has increased by, on average, an extra $1 billion every year. I am proud to serve in a government where aged care is a top priority. The plan in this budget is delivering better quality care and promoting mental and physical health. Most importantly, it is a plan that supports older Australians’ independence and respects their dignity.

For more information on the Turnbull Government’s plan for aged care, visit www. myagedcare.gov.au.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]