Home care waiting lists blow out

ELDERLY Queenslanders face longer delays for home care with the waiting list blowing out by more than 3000 in just six months.

As the federal government plans a royal commission into the crisis in aged care, figures show there are now more than 22,000 Queenslanders waiting for assistance, with many put on hold for a year or more.

The delays are worst for those assessed as needing the highest level of in-home care, with those in the two most serious categories now facing delays of 12 months or more before they receive funding under the federal government’s home care program.

Government data reveals the number of Queenslanders waiting for funding packages jumped from 19,585 at December 31, 2017 to 22,804 at the end of June 2018.

Close to 80 per cent of these people were in the most serious two categories, which have the longest wait times.

The delays come as Scott Morrison vowed to target improvements to aged care ahead of the next election.

Aged Care minister Ken Wyatt said at home care was a “top priority” and he expected wait times to improve after $1.6 billion extra spending in this year’s budget takes effect.

“The continuing strong demand for home care packages reflects the wishes of the growing number of senior Australians to remain living independently for as long as possible,” he said.