The federal government has backed down on a requirement that people in aged care pay $50 an hour for the support services.

Previous changes, which came into effect in November, required some recipients to pay more for help with their basic needs.

While the reforms were meant to improve the care levels offered, those on Support at Home packages had fees attached to services such as help with showering.

It meant that in some cases, elderly residents were forced to choose between receiving help with showers and getting other care services covered.

But the reversal in policy won’t kick in until October, meaning out-of-pocket costs will still apply for several months.

Aged Care Minister Sam Rae conceded the changes were made following concerns from residents, families and providers.

“We said when the Aged Care Act commenced that we’d keep watching how the reforms landed and fix what needed fixing,” he said.

“That’s exactly what this is. As our population ages, we’ll keep doing the work to make sure the system is strong enough, and fair enough, to meet the moment.”

The changes to aged care packages stemmed from 2021 recommendations from a royal commission into the sector.

As part of the overhaul, more tiers of home care were introduced to ensure needs were more closely met, while also making wealthier Australians pay more for services.

The full changes to aged care will be laid out in a speech by Health Minister Mark Butler at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Opposition aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the changes showed the rollout of reforms in the sector were rushed.

“Removing charges for personal care is the right outcome, but these are essential services that should never have been classified as anything less,” she said.

“Older Australians also deserve to know why the Government is waiting until October to implement this change. How many will go without essential care in the meantime?”

Ageing Australia chief executive Tom Symondson welcomed the decision to scrap payments for help with showering.

“Sweeping reforms will always have unintended consequences, and we’ve been clear from the outset that charging contributions for showering needed to be kept under constant review to ensure the best possible outcomes for older people,” he said.

“Particularly alarming has been the increasing evidence that older people were reducing the number of showers they had or forgoing them altogether due to cost. That is the worst possible outcome.

“Showering is not just about hygiene and health, it’s about basic human dignity.”

Council on the Ageing Australia acting chief executive Corey Irlam said basic care should never have come with a price tag attached.

“This will make a real difference to older Australians who’ve had to choose whether they could afford a shower,” he said.

“It removes the price tag anxiety many older people have raised with their MPs and puts the focus back on the person and the care they need.”