Dorothy’s aged care home charged $52 a day for Foxtel, wine and newspapers that were no use to her. She wasn’t alone
Australian aged care providers are facing regulatory scrutiny for charging residents daily fees for services they are physically or cognitively unable to use, such as Foxtel or wine. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is investigating multiple providers following a surge in complaints regarding these potentially illegal additional charges.
Why it matters
This investigation highlights systemic exploitation in the aged care sector, raising critical questions about consumer protection for vulnerable residents and the ethical boundaries of for-profit care models.
Dorothy Gilling’s aged care contract included an additional fee for services ‘she simply couldn’t use’, her son Jeff Gilling says. Photograph: Supplied Dorothy Gilling’s aged care contract included an additional fee for services ‘she simply couldn’t use’, her son Jeff Gilling says. Photograph: Supplied Aged care Dorothy’s aged care home charged $52 a day for Foxtel, wine and newspapers that were no use to her. She wasn’t alone Exclusive : Many aged care residents in Australia are charged for services they can’t use or understand, prompting an investigation from the regulator
The article reports on a factual investigation by a government regulator and ongoing legal proceedings, providing perspectives from both the affected families and the accused providers.
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