Our project highlights mixed experiences, hopes and concerns about aged care reform among multicultural CHSP providers.
As the latest aged care reforms start to take effect, impacts are being felt in various parts of the system, including amongst providers of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, in conjunction with the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, has undertaken a project to gauge the impact of reform on CHSP providers to multicultural communities.
Through focus group discussions and an online survey, we asked this group of providers about their experiences, concerns and aspirations around reform.
The results highlight largely positive views on several elements of reform – including quality enhancement, workforce and strengthened emphasis on social engagement.
At the same time, the findings reveal a more divided response and a range of concerns about other reforms – including the new single assessment, home care package arrangements, and unit pricing changes.
Reforms were clearly seen to have particular impacts on ethnic communities. While providers recognised the potential for the changes to enhance delivery of some types of support, they also raised concern that capacity to meet additional needs of multicultural clients may be diluted in new pricing and service categorisation arrangements.
A key message from this work is that reform is influencing how these providers see their future role and viability in the sector. Ongoing monitoring is essential, alongside efforts to amplify the voices of multicultural CHSP providers as the sector prepares for major changes over the next two years and beyond.