Positive changes for people receiving aged care services at home

Control and choice will be the main changes affecting older people when the aged care system moves to Consumer Directed Care (CDC) from July 1.

According to Ms Verity Gannon, owner of age care and disabilities services provider Just Better Care Central Coast: “Control and choice are important reforms that were needed in the system and will mean positive changes for people receiving aged care services at home. “From July 1, a person receiving a CDC service on the Central Coast will have the choice and control of who provides their services and what is provided. “The package will be limited to a budget, based on the person’s assessed level of need, and is all about ensuring people can stay living in their home for as long as possible, if that is what they want.” Ms Gannon said there were three main things people should know about CDC and what it means for older people: “You have the right to decide who will provide your service; you have the right to change your service as much as you want; you have a choice of a much broader range of services including using your package for technology aids. “From July 1, people receiving a CDC service on the Central Coast would receive a monthly statement showing what has been spent, which would mean providers are more accountable and this is expected to result in a more transparent system. “Importantly, on a day to day basis, this means that if you are receiving services and not happy – then you can change to someone else or ask your existing provider to use another provider’s staff.” Consumer Directed Care (CDC) is part of the Federal Government’s aged care reform package, and replaces Home Care Packages from July 1. “Given our ageing population, more and more older Australians will stay in their homes longer, rather than moving to an aged care residential facility”, Ms Gannon said.

Media release, 15 June 2015 Verity Gannon, Better Care Central Coast