Aged Care Algorithm Fails Graham: A Story of Neglect

0:00In Adelaide, it's February 27th, and here's what is going on. An 80-year-old millborn man named Graham Crosand Battles advanced motor neuron disease, leaving him unable to eat, talk, walk, or breathe. Without help, he relies on a feeding tube and ventilator around the clock. Recently, a new government algorithm denied him higher-level home care funding through the aged care system, cutting his weekly care hours from. 14 to just 9 and a half. This change came last November as part of federal reforms to make aged care more sustainable. People over 65 like Graham cannot access the national disability insurance scheme, so they depend on my aged care assessments. The new integrated assessment tool uses an algorithm that assessors input data into, and it makes final calls without human overrides. Graham's wife Gainer, who has been married to him for 57 years, handles most of his daily care alone. As 79, she has hurt herself multiple times trying to move him,

1:02and they now stay mostly housebound with no outings. Without enough funded help, their safety is at serious risk every day. Advocacy groups report a flood of similar complaints, with funding cuts leaving people unable to cope, and some heading to hospitals or unwanted, nursing homes. Experts call the algorithm inadequate for complex cases like motor neuron disease, comparing it to past government failures, and demand a full overhaul with faster reviews. The government says it is monitoring feedback closely and plans to refine the process as the system matures. Advocates urge quicker action, especially for progressive conditions, while support lines like the aged care advocacy line stand ready at 18, 100, 700, 600. This episode is supported by our sponsor. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-L-O.com. I just lay down and press play. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-L-O.com.