TWiSK has been contacted by seniors who are disappointed and fearful that familiar social activities and connections will be lost in the change.
Many of these people petitioned Council to maintain the services because of their benefits.
Council’s own community engagement report noted significant concern that the transition away from Council would leave people with inferior choices.
Agitation amongst seniors was picked up by Greens Senator Steph Hodgins‑May in a passionate moment in the Senate.
Officers recommend Canberra handback
The officer’s recommendation to Council is outlined below. TWiSK understands that council staff had been “prepared” for this decision before the agenda item was made public.
“Implementation of a “Positive Ageing” model, which includes:
A larger Linking Neighbours program offering social activities and outings
Ongoing Community Connector support to help people navigate available services
Continued operation of the Hop On Hop Off bus
A dedicated Positive Ageing Team to design and deliver local programs
Relinquishing Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funded support services (social support groups, transport and delivered meals) back to the Commonwealth.”
Responding to complexity
Australia’s aged care sector is going through what’s vaguely called “reform.” It’s what you and I would call chaos.
The government is seeking to play less and less of a role, looking to a wide range of providers to fill the space.
They are driving this through funding mechanisms like aged‑care packages that allow recipients to select services through providers rather than a government agency.
Many of the providers are for‑profit; others are large corporate not‑for‑profits that make decisions similar to corporations.
Like the NDIS, this may be the future — but it’s a future of uncertainty packaged in bureaucratic weasel words, acronyms, and big‑dollar announcements.
Excuse my cynicism.
