More than 830,000 seniors have been given certainty with the extension of the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Photo: Halfpoint.
The Federal Government has backed down over plans to abolish the Commonwealth program that helps older Australians with the low-level supports needed to keep living at home.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which assists more than 830,000 seniors, has been extended for another three years until 30 June 2029.
It was slated to be rolled into the Support at Home program, sparking speculation over the future of shopping, transport, cleaning, home maintenance and even Meals on Wheels services for seniors.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the government had listened to community concerns about the program’s future.
“I know how much this program means to older Australians, their families and communities,” Mr Butler said.
“We have listened to the feedback people have given us about CHSP, and we’re giving providers and older Australians the certainty they need to continue while the future of the program is developed.”
The minister said the previous Coalition government had committed to merging that program with Support at Home, but he was sceptical.
But shadow health and aged care minister Anne Ruston was having none of that, and said Labor was now adopting Coalition policy to maintain the CHSP’s separate funding.
“If Labor wants a pat on the back for finally doing what the Coalition, a Senate Inquiry, older Australians and the aged care sector has been calling on them for more than six months, well, tell ’em they’re dreaming,” Senator Ruston said.
“This is an embarrassing, overdue backdown from Labor in the face of overwhelming evidence that abolishing community support would have been reckless for the 835,000 older Australians who rely on this program.
“The Auditor-General, the Senate inquiry into the future of CHSP and the aged care sector have all raised serious concerns about the government’s plans to transition CHSP into Support at Home. The Inquiry recommended retaining CHSP block funding months ago.
“The Coalition has been relentless in putting pressure on the government to do the right thing.
“Let’s be clear, this was not a proactive decision from a government with a clear plan. Labor has left this decision until the last minute, just as they have done repeatedly throughout their chaotic aged care reforms.”
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae said the government was now consulting on how to keep the CHSP permanently separate from Support at Home.
“We believe the CHSP should remain a standalone program,” he said.
“830,000 older Australians rely on these services. Today we’re giving them the certainty they need that their care will not change while we plan for the future of CHSP.
“We said we would listen before we made decisions about the future of this program.
“Providers told us they needed certainty to keep their doors open, and older people told us they wanted continuity – and we’ll continue to listen as we deliver the program people want into the future.”
CHSP is the entry point for many older Australians to aged care, yet numerous local councils and other providers had cited uncertainty as their reason for withdrawing from CHSP.
The Council on the Ageing (COTA) welcomed the news as providing much-needed certainty.
“The task now is making sure the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Support at Home and the broader aged care system work together so older Australians don’t fall through the cracks, get caught between program boundaries or face unnecessary barriers as their needs change,” CEO Patricia Sparrow said.
Ageing Australia congratulated the government for listening to aged care providers, including its members.
“CHSP supports more older Australians than any other single program, so it’s vital older people have certainty that these services will continue,” CEO Tom Symondson said.
“As an entry-level program, CHSP helps older people remain in their homes for longer and helps them maintain their independence and live fulfilling lives in their own communities.
“We have said from the start that we must preserve what works well in CHSP and avoid simply allowing it to be rolled into a Support at Home (SaH) program that is not yet delivering for older people.”
Catholic Health Australia described it as a “prudent decision” that maintains vital services for older Australians.
“CHSP delivers entry-level, preventative support that helps 830,000 older Australians stay independent, maintain their wellbeing and avoid premature entry into higher cost care,” said CHA director of aged and community care Alex Lynch.
“Retaining the program ensures continuity of a pivotal service, which is especially important for outer metropolitan and regional communities.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
