Aged care royal commission initial action

INITIAL RESPONSE TO AGED CARE ROYAL COMMISSION

* $537 million total funding package

* $496.3 million for an additional 10,000 home care packages, to start December 1. Main focus will be on Level 3 and 4 packages (high level of care).

* $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home. Doctors will be required to apply for additional approval if risperidone is to be prescribed beyond an initial 12 week period.

* $10 million for dementia training and support for aged care workers and providers

* $4.7 million to help meet new targets to remove younger people with disabilities from residential aged care.

* New targets will be set including no people under the age of 65 entering residential aged care by 2022; no people under the age of 45 living in residential aged care by 2022; and no people under the age of 65 living in residential aged care by 2025.

* Specialist team involving Department of Social Services, Department of Health and National Disability Insurance Agency to be set up to ensure targets are met.

* Government has also pledged to simplify aged care assessments and set up a single unified system for care of the elderly in the home.

* Final royal commission report is due on November 12, 2020.