Are Consumers Ready for an Aged Care Revolution?

The Federal Government will now give older Australians the power to handpick their in-home aged care service provider. But industry research shows most people don’t even know it’s possible to get government funding for home care, let alone select their own provider. 

“Market research shows that only 18 per cent of potential clients have actively searched for information about home care services (Luma, 2016). This suggests many older Australians don’t know home care is an option for them”, says Jeremy McAuliffe, General Manager of Home Care at Benetas.

“The changes introduced this week will allow consumers to choose their own in-home care provider, and give older Victorians the power to move to another company if they’re not happy. This is a fundamental shift in policy, an aged care revolution if you like”, Jeremy said.

“Benetas whole-heartedly supports these changes, as they give older Victorians, and their families, greater choice and flexibility, and inject competition into the home care market, which can only benefit consumers in the long run”.

“But we’re concerned these benefits won’t be realised because people don’t know home care is an option. When you think of aged care, you think of residential homes. And while these facilities play a very important role, some people just aren’t ready to leave home yet”, Jeremy said.

As a leading, not-for-profit aged care provider, Benetas believes it has an important role to play in informing and educating older Victorians about the services available to them.

“Government support is available for individuals who need in-home care services”, Jeremy said.

“However, the application process is quite involved. At Benetas, we’ve completely altered the way we do business in preparation for the Government’s changes, and to ensure we’re ready to help consumers and their families navigate the new approach”, he said.

Click here to find out more about Benetas' aged care services.