Changes to aged care services

National reform across the aged care sector is driving significant change in the delivery of direct care services to older people living independently at home.

This has forced Council to consider the ongoing viability of providing Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services.

From 1 July 2021 a new provider will be appointed by the Federal Government to provide domestic assistance, personal care, respite care and social support. Residents will continue to receive the same direct care services they previously relied on at the same frequency.

Council is committed to supporting its older community members with quality support services. It will continue to provide food services, home maintenance, home modifications and occupational therapy services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, and will reinvest Council funds to expand services and programs for older people including social inclusion, transport and wellbeing programs.

Knox City Council Mayor, Cr Nicole Seymour said the decision had not been taken lightly and Council’s focus is on ensuring ongoing support for Knox’s older residents.

“Supporting our older residents to access high-quality care to allow them to stay safe and healthy is of the utmost importance to us as a Council and a community,” said Cr Seymour.

“We will closely manage the transition to ensure continuity of care for our residents, and will reinvest the funds we’ve been contributing over and above federal funding levels to expand our own community support programs to complement those provided under the Commonwealth program.”

The federal aged care reforms come into effect on 1 July 2022. After careful consideration, Council determined the best outcomes for residents and staff could be achieved by working proactively with the Federal Government.

Council has advised affected residents of the change and will continue working closely with them and the Department of Health over the coming year to ensure these residents continue to receive high-quality care and experience a smooth transition to a new provider. Importantly, Council’s service provision will not cease until a new provider has been confirmed to ensure no gap in service.

Affected staff have been informed and are being supported by Council’s human resources team.

/Public Release. View in full here.