00:00 For more than a year Sue and Mike Willett had to make do.
00:07 Vacuuming was difficult, mopping was difficult because it was that bend and push.
00:12 After Mike had a series of falls and a heart attack they were assessed and approved for
00:17 cleaning help through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
00:20 I've been trying to get through to these people.
00:22 But when they went to book a cleaner they couldn't.
00:26 Call after call providers told them they were understaffed and had run out of government
00:30 funding.
00:31 It's not much point in offering them to anybody if they know that in fact the funds aren't
00:37 there.
00:38 The Commonwealth Home Support Program, or CHISP as it's known, offers support like
00:43 cleaning, gardening and home modifications to keep more than 800,000 older people living
00:48 at home.
00:49 But Sue and Mike's federal MP, Independent Rebecca Sharkey, says it's not working like
00:55 it should with her office alone getting up to 10 calls a week about it.
00:59 Saying that they're desperately needing support and there's nothing available.
01:03 They're attempting to do these things themselves and that brings its own dangers, particularly
01:09 with older people climbing on ladders.
01:11 Those in the sector say there are services across the country with their books closed.
01:16 There simply isn't enough investment from the government going into CHSP.
01:22 The Department of Health and Aged Care says the time between a person being recommended
01:26 a service and accessing one is highly variable depending on the type of service and location,
01:33 but those with urgent needs are prioritised.
01:36 In the coming months there'll also be more grants available to providers, but it's not
01:41 as much money as the industry wants.
01:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]
