The alarming reason one in three seniors are giving up aged care

August 26, 2026 — 5:01am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

The most worrying thing about the new aged care system is not that people are paying more for care. It is that some are deciding they can’t afford care at all. A YouGov survey of 1044 senior Australians found that one in three have reduced or stopped home care since November 1 because they can’t afford the new co-contributions.

The impact is greatest among those under financial pressure: almost seven in 10 say the new payments have made them more reluctant to seek help, rising to nearly three in four among those experiencing financial hardship. Sadly, for 6 per cent, the cost of care now means choosing between aged care and essentials such as food and electricity.

The survey found that seven in 10 believe aged care services are too expensive. However, there is an important distinction that appears to be getting lost. The new system doesn’t apply a........

© The Age