the Gateway. The need for such arrangements will be carefully monitored over time. 9.2 An intensive reablement service should be Supported. introduced to give greater focus on The Government supports the need for a independence, rehabilitation and restorative strong focus on independence, care. Eligibility and entitlement for this rehabilitation and restorative care. An service should be assessed by the integrated Commonwealth home support Australian Seniors Gateway Agency. program will be established from 1 July 2015 (see the response to recommendation 9.4). This program will seek to maximise preventative and restorative care to optimise outcomes for care recipients and avoid their unnecessary progression to more intensive, higher cost services. At the same time, the Government notes it will be important to build on and avoid duplicating existing services, including the Transition Care Program and other services provided through the public and private sectors. The aged care reform package therefore includes a range of initiatives to promote greater innovation within the aged care sector and better links with public and private hospitals and medical insurers. As well as improving the capacity for older people to receive restorative care through the aged care system, these initiatives also aim to improve access to services provided through the wider health system. 9.3 A of more flexible arrangements for Largely supported. respite care, such as cashing out for respite While further work is necessary before a services and extending the range of more entitlement-based approach to care registered individuals who can be approved services can be considered, the aged care to provide respite, should be conducted as reform package will support better access part of a broader introduction of an to care and promote greater choice for entitlement based approach to care carers of older people by streamlining services. arrangements for respite care, expanding access to services and giving carers more choice and flexibility in the services they use. These improvements will be delivered through four elements: providing increased funding and growth for services supported under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) from 1 July 2012; consolidating funding for respite programs into one program from 1 July 2014;
the Gateway. The need for such arrangements will be carefully monitored over time. 9.2 An intensive reablement service should be introduced to give greater focus on independence, rehabilitation and restorative care. Eligibility and entitlement for this service should be assessed by the Australian Seniors Gateway Agency. Supported. The Government supports the need for a strong focus on independence, rehabilitation and restorative care. An integrated Commonwealth home support program will be established from 1 July 2015 (see the response to recommendation 9.4). This program will seek to maximise preventative and restorative care to optimise outcomes for care recipients and avoid their unnecessary progression to more intensive, higher cost services. At the same time, the Government notes it will be important to build on and avoid duplicating existing services, including the Transition Care Program and other services provided through the public and private sectors. The aged care reform package therefore includes a range of initiatives to promote greater innovation within the aged care sector and better links with public and private hospitals and medical insurers. As well as improving the capacity for older people to receive restorative care through the aged care system, these initiatives also aim to improve access to services provided through the wider health system. 9.3 A of more flexible arrangements for respite care, such as cashing out for respite services and extending the range of registered individuals who can be approved to provide respite, should be conducted as part of a broader introduction of an entitlement based approach to care services. Largely supported. While further work is necessary before a more entitlement-based approach to care services can be considered, the aged care reform package will support better access to care and promote greater choice for carers of older people by streamlining arrangements for respite care, expanding access to services and giving carers more choice and flexibility in the services they use. These improvements will be delivered through four elements: providing increased funding and growth for services supported under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) from 1 July 2012; consolidating funding for respite programs into one program from 1 July 2014;
austr_gov_response_to_the_productivity_commissions_caring_for_older_australians_0.docx