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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Wife and carer 'dumbfounded' by husband's aged care assessment

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • An 80-year-old Melbourne man with late-stage motor neurone disease is being denied higher funding for at-home care through the My Aged Care program.
  • His wife, who is his primary carer, is "dumbfounded" that an algorithm-based assessment tool (IAT) deemed him ineligible for increased support.
  • Despite an appeal and a supporting report from a specialist, the Department of Aged Care upheld the initial assessment, leading to concerns he may need to move to residential care.

Gaynor Crossan described herself as "dumbfounded" after an algorithm used by the federal government deemed her severely incapacitated husband ineligible for increased aged care funding. Graham Crossan, 80, suffers from late-stage motor neurone disease and relies entirely on his wife for assistance with eating, moving, and breathing. Because he is over 65, he cannot access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and instead receives support through the My Aged Care program.

Quite honestly, I don't know what else would make them change their minds.

— Gaynor CrossanExpressing disbelief after her husband's appeal for higher aged care funding was rejected.

Last November, the government introduced the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), an algorithm to determine aged care support. Graham was assessed and, despite his critical condition, the IAT ruled him ineligible for higher funding. The results could not be overridden by a human assessor, leaving the couple in disbelief.

He uses a [ventilator] between 22 and 23 hours a day … he will die if that ventilator malfunctions or is not being applied in a suitable way.

— Gaynor CrossanDescribing the critical level of care her husband requires.

They appealed the decision, submitting a new report from a senior Occupational Therapist specializing in progressive neurological diseases. This report supported Graham's need for more help as his condition worsens. However, last month, the Department of Aged Care rejected their appeal, stating the initial assessment was correct. "Quite honestly, I don't know what else would make them change their minds," Gaynor said, highlighting that Graham uses a ventilator 22-23 hours a day and requires two people to lift him.

It needs at least two people to lift him. He cannot support himself.

— Gaynor CrossanDetailing the physical limitations her husband faces.

Kooyong MP Monique Ryan criticized the system, calling it "Robo Aged Care." She argued that the financial support provided is "manifestly inadequate" for Graham's needs. Ryan expressed concern that unless the case is reconsidered, Graham will be forced to move into residential aged care, which is neither his nor his wife's preferred option. The department's letter to Mrs. Crossan stated that Graham's functional independence and needs had not significantly changed since the original assessment, thus not warranting higher funding, a response Ryan found incredulous given the maximal nature of his impairments.

The amount of financial support that his carer, his wife, is able to receive is manifestly inadequate for his needs.

— Monique RyanFederal member of parliament criticizing the level of support provided.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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