Although Lyn Robson only launched a Change.org petition on December 5, almost 20,000 online signatures were registered less than a week later on Tuesday. Ms Robson's petition is headlined with a plea to the Department of Ageing and Aged Care: "Please reassess our capacity to pay for my terminally ill husband's care." Ms Robson's husband was struck by a cerebral brain hemorrhage at the age of 49 while he was already suffering from a brain tumour—with multiple disabilities and terminal cancer, he now requires 24-hour care in an aged care facility.
Prior to her husband's devastating health problems, Ms Robson was one of the parents in an ordinary family, who earned a "middle class" income like her husband, lived in a partly owned home in the suburbs, drove a modest car, and helped raise two school-aged children. By the time Ms Robson was registering with the Change.org website, the family that she is now the sole breadwinner for was faced with aged care costs that continue to be nearly A$400 greater than what she earns—she has been redrawing on the family home mortgage to cope.
Ms Robson's petition and plea is addressed to the Minister for Social Services, Senator Andrews, and his assistant minister, Senator Mitch Fifield. This is because, along with the numerous major changes that have been implemented by the Abbott government, the federal Aged Care policy was revised in the second half of 2014. As Ms Robson explains:
"According to new Aged Care policy, my husband must leave aged care for 28 days and then be readmitted into care, before a reassessment of our financial capacity to pay a RAD (or equivalent daily charge) is made."
However, the intensive level of care that Ms Robson's husband needs makes the option of his 28-day removal impossible without the creation of significant problems and distress.
The office of Social Services can make a difference to the lives of the Robson family on two counts:
- Based upon compassionate grounds, the 28-day removal policy can be lifted in this case.
- The financial reassessment enabled by the lifting of the policy could allow the Robsons to lead decent lives, while they also tend to the considerable needs of a terminally ill family member.