Agencies warn that elderly support services are facing shortages as fuel prices rise

The National Council for Aged Care Providers is calling on the federal government to provide urgent support to keep services running, as the Middle East war sends oil prices skyrocketing.

Aged Australians, which represents residential care, home care, retirement living and community care operators, wants older Australians and aged care workers to be prioritized in any government response to fuel prices and shortages.

Oil prices are already affecting the sector, according to Egging Australia chief executive Tom Simondson.

“Now that fuel prices are high, we’re seeing an increase in workers not taking change because they’re struggling to pay for the fuel they need to get to work,” he said.

“Some [workers are] Their monthly fuel bill reporting has gone up by 50 percent or more.”

The NRMA reported on Thursday that the average price of diesel reached $3.14 and unleaded was $2.56.

Mr Simondson has called on the federal government to ensure aged care providers and workers are prioritized for fuel, if there is a shortage, and exempt from any rationing measures that may be implemented.

While Australia’s oil supply remains at the same level as before the war, the government says there is uncertainty about supplies from mid-April.

Mr Simondson stressed the need for targeted financial support for aged care providers and their staff to manage rising fuel costs.

“We need a response that is quick, practical and easy to implement,” he said.

“It’s about getting services up and running … or we risk leaving older Australians without serious support.”

Risks for helping at home

Older Australians’ concerns include the affordability of services offered to older Australians living at home, with fears that support will decline if governments fail to intervene.

One of these services is Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals and provides regular welfare checks to vulnerable older Australians.

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Chairman Paul Sadler has written to the government to ask for help, amid concerns that higher fuel prices could have a “substantial impact” on services.

“Continued fuel price increases or supply disruptions present a material risk to continued service,” he said in his letter to the Department of Health, Disability and Aging.

He warned that there could be more ambulance calls and more hospital admissions if Meals on Wheels cuts its services, leaving people unable to get the food they need.

Mr Sadler will meet with department officials on Friday to ask the government to guarantee priority access to fuel if there are shortages or restrictions.

He also asked the government to provide an emergency fund to help cover the drivers’ expenses.

Currently, volunteers are offered to pay for the fuel, but most of them do not accept the money.

However, Meals on Wheels has recorded a sudden increase in drivers requesting payment, with requests up 50 percent in parts of the country in March.

A crisis can increase the demand for an ambulance

Another service that is concerned about fuel prices is the Community Transportation Organization, which provides transportation for elderly people who live at home but need help getting to or from an appointment.

Community Transport Executive Director, Kiki Powell, said she had recently met with department officials and was disappointed that they had not offered financial assistance to cover rising fuel costs.

Instead, the department suggested that struggling businesses should seek guidance on management and financial strategies.

Ms Powell said those organizations were frustrated they could not apply for urgent and critical aid from the Commonwealth Housing Support Programme.

The grant provides financial support “to respond to sudden and exceptional situations” including “increased transport costs due to sudden changes in fuel prices”.

“We’ve been told in no uncertain terms that’s off the table,” Ms Powell said.

“No one can apply for this grant unless they are invited, and the government does not open invitations.”

She warned that if community transport services were cut, it would lead to older Australians losing medical appointments.

“[That could lead to people] Calling an ambulance to get to the hospital, so it puts a lot of pressure on the medical system,” she said.

“It’s an unstable situation.”

The federal government is not aware of any service disruptions as a direct result of the oil pressure at this stage.

A spokesman for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae acknowledged that Commonwealth home support services, such as Meals on Wheels, were vital.

A spokesman said: “The Government is talking directly with the sector to understand and monitor any risks in providing services to older people, and to identify any possible support in the event of increased oil pressure.”

The national cabinet will meet for the second time next week, and meetings between the national oil supply task force coordinator, departments and industries are underway.

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