JOINT MEDIA RELEASE – Giving older Australians greater choice in their services

10 September 2014

Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator Mitch Fifield and Member for Hindmarsh Matt Williams today joined COTA Australia to launch a new website to help older Australians and aged care providers prepare for the move to Consumer Directed Care (CDC).

CDC has been progressively introduced into the Home Care Packages of older Australians, and from 1 July 2015 it will apply to all packages.

The website, Home Care Today, is a dedicated portal for consumers and providers about Consumer Directed Care, ensuring they are prepared and can take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

“Consumer Directed Care is putting older Australians in the driving seat when it comes to the services and support they receive,” Senator Fifield said.

“It gives individuals and their carers choice and control about the types of care and support they access, including who will deliver the services and when.

“There is greater transparency about how much funding is available, ensuring older Australians know exactly how it is being spent.”

The Government has funded a number of projects to help aid the transition to CDC for consumers and providers, including two delivered by COTA.

Controlling My Own Life: Making the Most of CDC provides people with information and resources to help them fully benefit from the increased control and flexibility CDC provides.

Consumer Directed Care Capacity Building Service helps providers to implement CDC across their organisations, engage with consumers and train their staff.? This project was done in partnership with the provider peak bodies Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA).

“We know that most people want to remain living in their own home for as long as possible, and want choice in the services they receive,” Mr Williams said.

“The Government is providing more support to help make this a reality, with the number of home care packages set to increase by an additional 80,000 over the next ten years.

“The move to Consumer Directed Care will ensure older Australians have a say in how their care is delivered in the home.”