On paper, government-funded aged care sounds like the ultimate win: support for your ageing parent without the hefty price tag.
But peek behind the curtain, and you’ll find a strained system, slow and stacked with compromises.
From endless waitlists to surprise fees and the heartbreak of inconsistent care, the real cost isn’t always on the invoice. But you’ll feel it nonetheless.
So, let’s unravel the polished packaging and see what’s really inside.
Time is money – and you’ll spend plenty of both
Accessing public aged care begins with assessments, forms, more assessments, more forms, and then… waiting.
Weeks turn into months. All while Mum’s mobility declines or Dad’s memory grows foggier. So if you need support now? Sorry, the system doesn’t always work like that.
Even once you’re approved, the care may not arrive when you need it. Services are scheduled by availability, not suitability – and flexibility is rare.
You’ll adapt to their roster. Not the other way around.
Continuity? Don’t count on it
While many carers in the public system are devoted and kind-hearted, the structure doesn’t always allow for continuity.
This means your parent may see three, four, even five different faces in a week. There’s no time to build rapport, no gentle familiarity, no sense of ‘Oh great, you’re back!’
And for someone living with cognitive decline, this isn’t a minor inconvenience – it’s deeply unsettling.
What they need is consistency, reliability and a steady hand on the tiller. Not a rotating cast of well-meaning strangers and rushed visits.
‘Free’ can be surprisingly expensive
Ah, the great illusion.
While government-funded care starts with subsidies, many families are surprised by just how many things aren’t included. And how much they still have to pay out of pocket.
Some examples? Basic daily fees, income-tested contributions, service gaps, top-ups for anything remotely customised and additional charges for… well, almost everything.
You may also still find yourself paying for transport, after-hours support or extra help around the house.
And decoding the pricing structure? You’d be better off attempting the Sunday cryptic. Transparency, it seems, was not invited to this particular party.
A system built for the masses
Public aged care is designed to serve the many, not the individual.
That means standardised care plans, tick-box visits and little room for personal flair.
A quick shower, a reheated meal, a dash out the door – all perfectly efficient. But is it warm? Is it thoughtful? Is it the care you would choose?
At Acquaint, we believe care should feel like it was written for your loved one – not pulled from a policy handbook. Anything less is, frankly, beneath them.
Limited choice, little control
In the public system, you take what you’re given.
The care provider, the roster, the carers – all dictated by availability and system rules. Your loved one’s preferences (and yours) are noted politely… and then largely ignored.
Contrast that with private care: where your voice matters, your input guides every decision and your loved one’s needs lead the way.
Where visits last as long as they need to, not as long as the funding allows. It’s not indulgence. It’s decency.
For those who believe ageing should come with grace, not compromise – let’s talk. Acquaint offers refined, private in-home care with all the attentiveness and dignity your parent deserves.