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Caregivers said they were desperate to try to access home care services for seniors, and then see their taxpayer subsidy eroded by an administration fee.
Raelene Ellis, a Queensland lawyer based at the Sunshine Coast, testified before the Royal Commission on Seniors at a hearing held in Adelaide on Monday.
She took care of her mother Terri for more than two years after the diagnosis of dementia, but had difficulty
get a higher level of home support.
"One should not have to tell someone" when the next person dies, you can get help, but until then you can not be difficult, "said Ellis at the # 39; hearing.
When her mother finally received a Level 4 package, it was only nine hours of care per week after the provider had charged 38% of the administrative costs.
"Where is the money going? $ 50,000 should not represent nine hours of care, "said Ellis, estimating that $ 20,000 of his mother's package was absorbed by fees.
"It's wasted," she says.
Ellis cited examples of alleged allegations, including a $ 25 handling fee from health care providers for booking outsourced gardening and chiropody services for his mother.
She also called for a legislative change that would allow seniors in respite care to be able to be hospitalized without losing their temporary place in a retirement home.
Lynda Henderson, who takes care of her friend Veda Meneghetti, leaves the Royal Commission for the Elderly. Photography: Kelly Barnes / AAP
Earlier, Lynda Henderson entrusted the commission with the care of her friend, rock musician Veda Meneghetti, in the NSW regional group.
Meneghetti, 68, was diagnosed with early dementia six years ago.
Henderson said that people with this diagnosis go through the "deepest and darkest depression".
Meneghetti's home care provider initially accounted for 34% of all management fees, but has now fallen to 14%.
Henderson criticized the quality and training of the staff sent by the home care provider, claiming that he did not know enough about manual handling and other health and safety practices at work.
"Veda had it, and so did I. What are you doing by sending us to people who do not know anything?
It was said to the audience that there was no registration nor regulation of the home caregiver workforce.
According to the latest data from the federal government, the waiting list for home care reaches 128,000 people.
It was said at the hearing that people could wait up to 24 months to access home care services.
The government has announced an additional 20,000 packages since last December.
About 175 packages are published per week.
There was an average underutilization of $ 6,000 per year and taxpayers' money "was effectively not used" with the care provider.
Among the most common complaints about home care were excessive fees.
The hearing was informed that 99 of the 100 largest old-age care providers had submitted requested information to the Royal Commission on incidents of child abuse and substandard care.
Hearings in Adelaide continue this week.
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