This supplementary submission relates only to prematurely aged homeless people. Please note that this Submission should be read in conjunction with our previous Submission to the Aged Care Bill 2024 [Provisions] inquiry.
We are particularly concerned by the suggestion that no person under 65 should be eligible for aged care services in any circumstance. If implemented, this would exclude prematurely aged homeless people, or those at risk of homelessness, from accessing specialist aged care services like residential care and Support at Home.
Our clients often age prematurely as a result of cumulative and persistent disadvantage and have one or more age-related conditions. While these people are not aged 65+, they require access to aged care services earlier than the rest of the population. Many of our clients are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."