I’ve been trying to sit down and write for some time now, but life has been pulling me in every direction. Aside from Shane’s MND diagnosis and the ongoing saga of trying to get the bathroom done, we’ve also been navigating the aged care system for my Gran and Grandfather.
In October, Gran had a significant fall that left her unable to return home, and my Grandfather, who has Parkinson’s Disease, also requires more support than ever. As we try to juggle these responsibilities, one thing has become glaringly obvious: the aged care system is grossly underfunded.
The Government often raves about its commitment to “keeping people at home” as they age. For example, the Prime Minister announced a $5.6 billion aged care reform package earlier this year, highlighting the new Support at Home program, which is intended to help around 1.4 million Australians live independently at home longer (Source: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/once-generation-aged-care-reforms). Similarly, the Support at Home program, set to roll out in 2025, aims to streamline aged care services and replace existing programs like Home Care Packages (Source: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about).
But from where I stand, the reality is far less promising. My experience helping three immediate family members navigate this system has shown me that the resources are riddled with delays, insufficient support and are significant underfunded. Too often, the help arrives too little and too late, leaving families no choice but to move loved ones into permanent care—exactly what these programs are supposed to prevent.
This situation only adds to the pressure we’re already facing as a family. Navigating these systems is hard enough without the added frustration of wasted resources and inefficiency. It often feels like more energy is spent justifying jobs than taking meaningful action, and the people who need help the most are the ones who suffer for it.
I have a lot more to say about this, but that’s a story for another day. For now, I just wanted to share a little about why I’ve been quiet and what’s been happening behind the scenes.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support us—it truly means the world.
- Donate directly to Shane’s MND battle here: https://shanelewismndbattle.com/donations/givewp-donation-form-2/
- Donate to support his Grandson Finn with his fundraising efforts for MND Vic here: https://www.mndrelay.org.au/my-fundraising/2896/finn-cadman
Cheers, Nic