CHF supports the Royal Commission finding that a ‘fundamental overhaul of the design, objectives, regulation and funding of aged care in Australia’ and ‘not mere patching up’ is needed, however, we are concerned that the proposed program does not do enough to confront the challenges faced by frail and vulnerable older people when they try to access their services. 

CHF advocates the need to work with families to co-design programs and an aged care system that appropriately serves the needs of older Australians. We recommend that programs are designed to help vulnerable older Australians navigate the aged care system and access services. 

Partnering with consumers goes beyond co-designing the role of the care finder. If we set out to redesign an aged care system that is easy to navigate and find the necessary services, we need to work in partnership with older Australians and their families across each level of the system, from planning to evaluation. Without the input of consumers, we are left to assume we know what people need and value in aged care. If we fail to include the perspective of consumers, we will continue to perpetuate current practices which have been shown to be inadequate. CHF strongly recommends the redesign of the aged care system is done through co-design with older Australians and their families.

CHF's submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s consultation on Aged Care Program Redesign – Services for the Future is available below: