The Government’s Aged Care Act 2024 is a welcome commitment to the country’s older citizens, but a lack of clarity about how the funding within it works remains a concern, writes Orthoptics Australia’s JANE COWAN.
As Australia’s population ages, the demand for healthcare services tailored to older Australians is rapidly increasing. Many older Australians, whether living independently or in residential aged care, rely on allied health services to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.
Orthoptists, as highly trained allied health professionals, are critical in managing eye health, supporting those with age-related vision impairment and addressing neurological eye conditions resulting from stroke, brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.
“Delivering a care funding framework that ensures access to specialised vision care from orthoptists reduces the risk of vision-related disability and promotes independence and safety.”
Currently, government programs such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) provide funding for orthoptists to deliver essential eye health services, assistive technology, and home modifications to older Australians.
Orthoptics Australia (OA) supports the commitment made by the Australian Government with the adoption of the Aged Care Act 2024 to put the rights and needs of older people at the centre of the aged care system. However, in consultation regarding aged care funding reform, it remains unclear how older Australians will continue accessing vital vision services under reformed funding models.
Despite two-thirds of the 13 million Australians with low vision being over the age of 65, vision care has not been explicitly included in the draft Aged Care Rules 2024 (service list).
This exclusion raises serious concerns about older Australians’ ability to access necessary vision services, like orthoptics.
Worryingly, the draft Aged Care Rules 2024 (service list) defines the Allied Health Professional as those registered under the National Law and does not acknowledge the many self-regulated allied health care professions.
The recently released Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review, Final Report, identified that references to the National Law in legislation indirectly limits the scope of practice of highly trained allied health professionals, like orthoptists, to deliver health services in Australia, despite their adherence to high professional standards.
This oversight significantly limits the delivery of critical eye health services to older Australians.
Additionally, proposed legislation, such as the draft Residential Care Service List Consultation Discussion Paper (December 2024) only commits funding for facilitating access to allied health services, rather than covering the costs of service delivery.
This approach risks distancing government responsibility from funding essential allied health care. Without supported access to allied health, older Australians face diminished health outcomes and increased health care system costs.
The impact of vision loss on older Australians extends beyond individual health, affecting family, social connections, and overall well-being. Orthoptic services such as vision rehabilitation training empower individuals facing blindness, low vision, or significant vision impairment to regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Case studies illustrate the transformative impact of orthoptic care.
A 74-year-old male with bilateral wet AMD regained the ability to read, communicate online, and engage in hobbies like woodworking through orthoptic treatment and assistive technology.
His renewed independence allowed him to rejoin community groups, volunteer with family, and travel independently, reducing his reliance on depression medication and improving his emotional well-being.
Similarly, a 68-year-old stroke survivor experienced significant relief from dizziness and visual fatigue after orthoptic therapy.
He now moves freely around his home, enjoys meals with his family, and has reconnected with hobbies like gardening and reading.
The proposed aged care funding framework’s failure to demonstrate how older Australians will be supported to access orthoptic services leaves them at increased risk of further vision loss and associated disabilities, particularly in cases of progressive or newly diagnosed eye conditions.
Orthoptists are uniquely qualified to assess and prescribe assistive technologies, products, and home modifications that support older Australians with vision impairments.
Delivering a care funding framework that ensures access to specialised vision care from orthoptists reduces the risk of vision-related disability and promotes independence and safety.
Orthoptics Australia looks forward to further consultation with government to clarify how aged care funding models can ensure older Australians receive vision care adequate for safeguarding their well-being, autonomy, and social engagement, ultimately enriching lives and strengthening communities.
About the Author: Jane Cowan is Orthoptics Australia’s executive officer. She has extensive experience in public policy with a passion for contributing to initiatives that deliver positive social impact.
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