A new 60 Minutes investigation will examine claims vulnerable aged care residents are being charged excessive fees for basic comforts, sparking fresh debate about the cost of growing old in Australia.
A confronting must-watch new 60 Minutes investigation is set to shine a spotlight on Australia’s aged care sector tonight, with families claiming elderly residents are being hit with questionable charges for services they believe should be part of basic care.
The segment, titled The Aged Care Rip-Off, examines allegations some providers are charging vulnerable residents millions of dollars through additional service packages.
In a teaser released ahead of the program, one family member describes the fees as “immoral”, claiming their loved one was taken advantage of.
“They were taking advantage of my mum,” she says.
One of the charges highlighted in the investigation is a reported $37-a-day fee linked to extra choices at meal time.
“Imagine paying $37 a day to get a choice of meal. Pork chop, lamb chop,” the teaser says.
The investigation raises questions about so-called “signature” or additional service packages offered in some aged care facilities and whether families are always getting value for the extra money they pay.
For many older Australians and their loved ones, navigating aged care costs can already be confusing, with accommodation payments, care fees and optional extras creating a complicated system at an emotional time.
The program also features families speaking about the challenges of advocating for loved ones inside residential care.
“If you weren’t there to fight for him, he wouldn’t be here with us today,” one person says in the preview.
The teaser ends with a direct confrontation over the alleged practices, asking: “How do you sleep at night?”
The investigation comes as aged care remains under intense scrutiny following years of reform after the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety exposed widespread failures across the system.
While many aged care workers and providers continue to deliver compassionate care every day, advocates say transparency around fees and services is critical.
As one person featured in the 60 Minutes preview says: “They’re not a profit centre. They are mums and dads.”
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When my darling mother was in her nursing home she was charged $20 monthly for a small bar ffridge for the power consumption they said it would use and for them to read the temp gauge we put in side it
Disgusting. A couple of Nursing Homes I worked in, if a Resident had a fridge, they certainly weren`t charged for it.
Our mums care home was wonderful, but the pharmacy supplying creams and meds etc was considered to be overcharging when my sister queried the exorbitant charges. My understanding was that the care home changed pharmacies.
Sometimes it isn't the care home but a contractor that puts their hand out. My sister queried my mothers pharmacy bill. I believe they they were charging for items not provided. The care home sorted that out.
One agency (Silverchair) that continues television advertisements charges grossly excessive fees. The initial phone interview regards assessment of needs lasted only ten minutes. Despite the assessor knowing I have a disability with chronic pain & limited ability to walk, I was allocated an hour a week housework & told that’s because physiotherapy comes out of my allocated budget, after I highlighted it’s free to the consumer.
Is this Silverchain? So sad this happens when we get to this stage of our lives.
I received a call from a resident who reported that she was feeling hungry because the meals provided were too small. She said the portion sizes were inadequate, and she often needed to purchase additional food outside the care home. When I asked why she hadn’t raised this concern earlier, she said she was as scared.
I sleep very well because I haven't let that for-profit charlatan FleeceUs into my life.
I sleep very well because I haven't let that for-profit charlatan FleeceUs into my life.
When my sister was in care 8 years ago we were charged $10.00 a day extra because the facility had 2 choices of meals at lunch time. She was also charged for happy hour she never attended and for concerts etc. Eventually we refused to pay the extra daily fees.
I also know a person currently who was given a bill 3 months ago for $84.00 a day for extras provided in her aunties care facility. The resident didn't use or have most of the extras listed. Absolutely appalling.
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