Despite significant reforms by both sides of Government since the Royal Commission Report released was in 2021, I am hearing ongoing concerns in the community: 

• difficulty in accessing respite care, 
• delays in the new Government single assessment process,
• workforce shortages and retention issues, and 
• concerns about changed financial contributions to care.

The Government reform process is ongoing with the new Support at Home program (replacing the Home Care Program) and the new Rights Based-Aged Care Act to commence in June this year.

Pressures are only going to increase in aged care with an increasing aging population; and as older Australians rightly expect to receive quality services in the place and model of their choice.

I am keen to hear any challenges for older Australians and their families as the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care are implemented and evaluated, to continue to work to improve aged care. 

We need to future-proof aged care to ensure the system is truly addressing the needs and preferences of older Australians, including funding models for older Australians to have control and choice over access to the aged care models of care of their choice, including new and innovative models.