Sabra Lane: Many older Australians and their families say residing independently at home without going into care is how they want to live out their lives. But older people are facing delays accessing the federal government-funded support, which helps with cleaning, home maintenance and modifications because service providers say they're underfunded and understaffed. Political reporter Evelyn Manfield has the story.
Evelyn Manfield : Sue and Mike Willett love living at their home on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula and they don't want to leave.
Sue Willet: Just being in our own home, it's comfortable. We've been here for about 13 years I think.
Evelyn Manfield : But in recent years, cleaning has become harder, especially for Mike, who's had a series of falls.
Sue Willet: Vacuuming was difficult, mopping was difficult because it was that bend and push, push and pull which both of us had difficulty with.
Evelyn Manfield : The Commonwealth Home Support Program, also known as CHISP, helps keep more than 800,000 older people living at home through cleaning and gardening help and home modifications like handrails. It's different to home care packages, which are for older Australians who have higher needs. Sue and Mike were assessed and approved for cleaning help under CHISP, but when they went to book a cleaner, they couldn't get one, despite calling several providers.
Sue Willet: I called them on a regular basis from the beginning of 2023, well right through 2023 and into the beginning of 2024. And it wasn't until the middle of February that we actually could get a cleaner.
Evelyn Manfield : The various providers told her they were understaffed and had run out of government funding.
Sue Willet: It's not much point in offering them to anybody if they know that in fact the funds aren't there.
Evelyn Manfield : Sue and Mike's federal MP is independent Rebecca Sharkey.
Rebekha Sharkie: We're seeing really up to 10 calls a week or 10 people coming into the office saying that they're desperately needing support and there's nothing available. They're either attempting to do these things themselves or, and that brings its own dangers, particularly with older people climbing on ladders.
Evelyn Manfield : Aged Care Minister Annika Wells declined an interview, but a spokesperson for her says further funding will be a decision for the budget next week. Her office also says funding for the program has increased from $2.6 billion to just above $3 billion in recent years. But the sector says that's largely to keep pace with wages and isn't enough. Aged Care Consultant and Chair of Meals on Wheels Paul Sadler says there are services across the country with their books closed.
Paul Sadler: There simply isn't enough investment from the government going into CHSP which means that the growth of the program has not kept pace with the ageing of the population.
Evelyn Manfield : Craig Gere is the Chief Executive of the Older Persons Advocacy Network.
Craig Gear : Some people are waiting weeks to months to access these really important services that might not seem a lot to you and I, but someone having their garden done, someone having a rail put in, someone having their cleaning done means that they don't put themselves at risk, but it also means they're getting also some social supports but also could be around some low level physio interaction that keeps them mobile and keeps their function up. So we can't wait in that sense to hold off these services.
Evelyn Manfield : The Health and Aged Care Department says older people requiring urgent services are prioritised.
Sabra Lane: That report by Evelyn Manfield