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MS patients lose affordable home care in Australia
MSWA stops a Commonwealth-funded program, forcing 76 clients to find costlier alternatives and face an uncertain future.
In brief
MSWA stops a Commonwealth-funded program, forcing 76 clients to find costlier alternatives and face an uncertain future. MSWA has ended its Support at Home program for seventy-six multiple sclerosis patients, citing unsustainable costs from federal government changes, forcing clients to switch to providers charging…
Eighty-year-old faces care crisis
Marlene Robinson, living with multiple sclerosis for thirty years, depends on MSWA support workers for essential personal care. She uses a wheelchair and cannot shower or dress without help.
MSWA ends home care program
MSWA has informed Marlene Robinson and seventy-five other clients that it will stop providing the Commonwealth-funded Support at Home program. Sixteen clients are in regional areas.
Federal changes made it unsustainable
MSWA chief executive Melanie Kiely said the Albanese government last year replaced the Home Care Packages program with Support at Home, bringing excessive administration and regulation.
“The Support at Home brings in a lot more administration, a lot more regulation into the way we have to do things.”
Costs will double for clients
MSWA charges sixty dollars an hour for personal care on weekdays, half the market average of one hundred twenty-five dollars an hour. Clients face doubling their hourly rate.
Robinson fears she cannot afford care
Marlene Robinson estimates she will pay one thousand dollars extra monthly for the same care. Her husband Michael said the decision is unnecessary and cruel.
“It just seems so unnecessary and cruel.”
Smaller providers may collapse
Catherine Stoddart, chair of Advanced Ageing WA, warned that higher costs and compliance requirements will drive smaller providers under. For every hour of care, thirty-one minutes are spent on administrative work.
“For every hour of care, 31 minutes are spent on administrative work, so therefore people don't get the amount of care that they're entitled to.”
Government monitoring the rollout
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's spokesperson said reforms deliver stronger provider accountability and enhanced oversight. The government is monitoring Support at Home to ensure older Australians access reasonable care.
Robinson considers residential care
The couple is now weighing whether Marlene Robinson can stay at home or must move into residential aged care. MSWA is proposing to help clients switch to a partner provider.
The essence
MSWA has ended its Support at Home program for seventy-six multiple sclerosis patients, citing unsustainable costs from federal government changes, forcing clients to switch to providers charging double the rate.
