LASA Lobbied for Improved Assessment Notifications for Older Australians
Wednesday, 05 November, 2014
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) has taken its advocacy a step further to ensure older Australians are provided with correct information regarding their entitlements.
“Latest member survey data shows that almost 80% of providers have received information of an incorrect assessment notification as at October 4,” says CEO of LASA, Patrick Reid.
“LASA has sought further urgent meetings with both Minister for Human Services, Senator Marise Payne and Secretary of Human Services, Kathryn Campbell. "LASA has been working closely and collaboratively with various DHS and DSS senior staff to highlight issues with both the Home Care Payment System and since July 1 the Means and Asset assessment process. "LASA members have been providing information from the frontline, but it is now necessary to hear from both the Minister and Secretary as to how this intractable issue will be fixed for good.
“The new residential aged care means testing process has been established for almost five months now and yet we are still seeing incorrect or erroneous client notification letters which do not provide the correct calculations for age care recipient’s care and accommodation contributions. 'We are also seeing incorrect information being given via the 1800 phone help line. "When we are dealing with older Australians who require care, this is simply not good enough," Mr Reid says.
LASA says the incorrect information is forcing aged care facilities to spend time checking government data rather than focus on operating services and providing care.
“Aged Care providers are also reporting long wait times of up to 6 or more weeks for residents entering residential aged care to be approved," Mr Reid add.
"The department has declared a number of response times and as the industry peak body we need an assurance that these times will be met.
“ I look forward to meeting with both the Minister and Secretary as soon as possible to work through permanent solutions to the issue. By keeping industry strongly in the communications loop we can be proactive and assist older Australians with accurate and helpful information regarding such important life decisions,” Mr Reid says
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