Imagine being unable to speak or eat, battling cancer, and then being told you’ll have to wait up to nine months for the care you desperately need. This is the harsh reality for thousands of older Australians caught in a system that’s failing them. Peter O’Shannessy’s story is a heartbreaking example of how delays in aged care assessments can have devastating consequences. After undergoing extensive throat cancer surgery, the 74-year-old was approved for a level-three home care package—a lifeline that would provide essential equipment and a personal carer. But here’s where it gets infuriating: Peter’s family was placed in a national queue of over 121,000 people, with an estimated wait time of seven to nine months. By the time the cancer returned, Peter’s condition had deteriorated to the point where he needed urgent nursing care. Despite pleas for a reassessment, he died just four weeks before his scheduled appointment. And this is the part most people miss: Peter’s final weeks were marked by fear, anxiety, and a sense of drowning, all while his wife struggled to care for him alone. His daughter, Eloise Randall, tearfully recounted, ‘Dad’s final wish was to speak again. We had to speak for him, and we still got nowhere.’ This isn’t just a bureaucratic delay—it’s a systemic failure that’s leaving families at breaking point. But here’s where it gets controversial: In December 2022, the government partially privatised aged care assessments, awarding contracts worth over $1.2 billion to companies like Aspire4Life. While these organisations claim they’re investing to meet demand, critics argue the system wasn’t ready. Former assessors like Coral Wilkinson believe the workforce was unprepared to handle complex cases, leading to delays and desperation. ‘People are calling us in tears,’ she said. ‘Some end up in hospital because they can’t get support at home.’ The government, however, insists wait times are improving, citing a median of 23 days for assessments in the July-September quarter. But is this enough? And what about the disturbing practice of dropping elderly people from waiting lists if they don’t respond to three phone calls? Former assessor Janine Mason revealed this policy, which she believes dehumanises the process. While her former employer denies adopting it, others in the industry confirm its existence. Adding fuel to the fire, the 2021 Royal Commission didn’t recommend privatisation, yet over half the contracted companies are also service providers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. The government claims it has safeguards in place, but are they enough? Here’s the burning question: Is profit being prioritised over people’s lives? As Eloise Randall poignantly asked, ‘How many vulnerable elderly Australians are slipping through the cracks because the system is too hard to navigate?’* We want to hear from you. Do you think privatisation has improved aged care assessments, or has it made things worse? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
