Concerns about in-home care price rises

A Creswick local has spoken out over changes to a Commonwealth Home Support Programme pricing schedule being implemented by in-home care provider, Benetas from July 1.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted The Local saying the cost of using the in-home CHSP care services is rising by around 130 per cent for her, with the changes becoming effective from July 1.

She also raised concerns about the lack of support workers saying it was sometimes just the "luck of the draw if your support worker arrives on the day allotted to you".

A Benetas spokesperson said in order to keep pace with cost of living increases and supplier charges, there had been a review of the organisation's pricing. "This has resulted in price increases for some services, in line with pricing recommended by the government."

The 65-year-old resident, who receives help due to mobility issues, said it had been 12 months since Benetas took over the aged care service from Hepburn Shire Council.

“I received the schedule of new fees and it is interesting to note that they now have three levels. If you are in the lower or middle-income bracket these new fees are large increases. I fall in the middle-income bracket as I am still working, but I still have a mortgage and being a woman in her older years with no superannuation to speak of, this means if I stop working, I will lose the roof over my head. The result will not be a good one for me."

The resident said over the past three years she had received three hours of domestic assistance for 1.5 hours per fortnight or three hours per month for $21. That would now be $49.50 - an increase of about 130 per cent.

“I feel for those of us that have worked all of our lives, raised children on our own, paid taxes, not received child support from our ex and not (been) granted superannuation until early 2000 (at a measly three per cent).

“It is sad that now not only do I have to keep working in my sunset years and face looking after myself as I won’t be able to afford home care once I stop working. How is a single person on a pension going to find the extra money for care when they can barely eat or keep themselves warm?”

Raising staffing concerns, the woman said she believed many support workers had left as they were being paid less than when they were with the council, and were also spending hours driving around the shire and not being paid for their time.