Letter to the editor

I have been a compensation advocate of 10+ years, both paid and voluntary. In my region of the Wide Bay Burnett Queensland, it is now evident that veterans and families who are Gold Card recipients have little knowledge or are unprepared for the effects of transitioning between DVA and My Aged Care. 

So many people in the baby boomer demographic think the Gold Card will carry themselves and family to end of life. Whilst many entitlements continue on or are cross pollinated with Aged Care, there is a misunderstanding of what happens when independence becomes dependence. 

I ask the Department to start an education roll-out, starting with the periodical, then website and brochures, to advise clients on preparation, or at least advice, to enable a direction towards this reality. ESOs are seeing veterans and families daily who have no idea or understand on what both Departments’ [including Health and Aged Care – Ed] role is when dependence is lost. 

Regards 

Lex Roberts

Thanks for getting in touch with your helpful suggestions, Lex. DVA has established an Aged and Community Care Taskforce and we are working on additional resources to help veterans, war widow(er)s and their families understand DVA services and supports, and how these can be accessed alongside My Aged Care supports and packages when living in residential aged care. Information and resources will be published on the DVA website, and available online and in hard copy early next year at www.dva.gov.au/ac. 

– DVA