Support at Home has made waves of change as it replaced Home Care Packages. But now, it is also planned to replace the Commonwealth Home Support Program or CHSP, and people are not happy. Aged care funding and policy leading expert Professor Kathy Eager are one of those who are opposed to the transition from CHSP to SAH.
She has stated, in front of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee, that the two funding models are incompatible. CHSP is a grant-funded program and delivers entry-level supports like social activities, transport, and meals in block-like allocations. Meanwhile, Support at Home focuses on the participants, wherein each one is assessed, and is delivered funding and support based on the assessment.
Eager makes a point that the two ideas are incompatible to be merged together. One is an individualised funding program, and the other is where the government sends funds directly to approved aged care providers. You can read more about the challenges of this “merger” at hellocare.com.au, from confused participants to CHSP staff job insecurity.