MSWA cuts home care program, leaving clients facing uncertain futures
An MSWA program that helps people with multiple sclerosis live at home is ending, leaving clients facing a doubling of hourly care rates. The decision has sparked fears that some people may be forced into residential care.
Marlene Robinson, an 80-year-old woman living with multiple sclerosis, faces uncertainty about her future care after MSWA announced it would be ending its Support at Home program. The program, which helps older people stay at home instead of moving into residential aged care, will be discontinued due to changes to aged care by the government last year, which MSWA says have excessively increased costs and administrative burden.
Ms Robinson, who is wheelchair-bound and depends on support workers for essential personal care, received a letter from MSWA informing her that the organization would no longer be providing the Commonwealth-funded services. She and her husband, Michael, are among 75 clients who will be affected, including 16 in regional areas.