Support at Home Program: Why 24/7 Monitoring Must Be Part of Australia's Aged Care Future
The landscape of aged care in Australia is changing, and with it comes both opportunities and challenges for older Australians who want to remain safely independent at home. The new Support at Home program, now delayed until November 2025, promises to reshape how aged care services are delivered – but there's a critical gap that needs addressing.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program is set to replace the current Home Care Packages system from 1 November 2025. This significant reform aims to provide more flexible, needs-based support for older Australians who want to age in place. While this represents a positive step forward in aged care reform, the current framework has a notable oversight: it doesn't specifically fund 24/7 professional monitoring services for personal emergency alarms.
The Reality of Australia's Ageing Population
The numbers tell a compelling story. By 2026, more than 22% of Australians will be aged over 65, up from just 16% in 2020. Australia is ageing faster than ever before, yet currently, less than 5% of older Australians have access to a funded medical alarm system, based on industry estimates.
This gap becomes even more significant when we consider that approximately 200,000 older Australians currently rely on professional personal emergency response services (PERS) delivered by companies operating under recognised Australian standards. These services aren't just convenient – they can be life-saving.
Why 24/7 Professional Monitoring Matters
Personal emergency alarms with professional 24/7 monitoring represent far more than a safety device – they're a comprehensive support system that enables independence while providing peace of mind for families and carers.
The Safety Benefits
Professional monitoring centres work closely with emergency service providers to ensure the right care is delivered at the right time. Research published in the Australian Health Review shows that professional monitoring services result in approximately one-third of ambulance attendances being avoided. This isn't just about efficiency – it's about ensuring emergency services are available when they're truly needed most.
The Independence Factor
For many older Australians, a personal alarm represents the difference between maintaining independence at home and requiring higher levels of care. The technology enables people to take calculated risks – like gardening, going for walks, or simply living alone – knowing that help is available 24/7 if needed.
Supporting Emergency Services
When individuals don't have access to professional monitoring, they're more likely to call emergency services for minor issues, increasing demand on already stretched resources. Personal alarms with professional monitoring help ensure that emergency services are used appropriately and effectively.
Learning from Global Leaders
Other developed nations have recognised the value of technology-enabled care and have implemented comprehensive funding models. Research on "Advancing Technology Enabled Care" highlights several successful international approaches:
Spain has integrated personal emergency response services under a universal legal right, with services including personalised support, proactive care, and fall detection. The program operates under a public-private partnership and has demonstrated significant impacts on reducing emergency department visits and delays to residential care admissions.
Germany provides partial funding for PERS through its statutory health insurance scheme, focusing on needs-based eligibility without additional means testing.
Ireland has achieved one of the highest PERS adoption rates in Europe (15%) through a co-pay model where users contribute based on income and eligibility.
These international models demonstrate that when technology-enabled care is properly funded and accessible, it benefits individuals, families, and the broader healthcare system.
The Cost of Not Acting
The absence of funding for 24/7 monitoring services in the Support at Home program creates several concerning risks:
Delayed emergency responses, particularly during off-peak hours when family contacts may be unavailable
Increased anxiety and distress for individuals without professional support
Greater risk of adverse outcomes for those at higher risk of falls or medical emergencies
Increased strain on emergency services and hospital emergency departments
Financial burden on individuals who need these services but can't access funding
Technology-Enabled Care: An Investment, Not a Cost
Professional personal emergency response services represent an investment in Australia's healthcare future. These services support:
Falls detection, prevention, and rapid response
Medication compliance monitoring
Early discharge from hospital
Reduced hospitalisation and re-admission rates
Delayed need for residential aged care
Independent living and social engagement
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recognised the importance of technology, recommending investment in "pre-certified assistive technology and smart technology to support both care and functional needs and manage safety." The commission specifically called for these technologies to be universally available and funded by the Australian Government.
Moving Forward: What Needs to Happen
As Australia prepares for the Support at Home program implementation, there's still time to address this critical gap. The program should include funding for:
24/7 professional monitoring services
Approved monitoring service providers and certified medical alarms compliant with Australian standards
Innovative solutions including fall detection and mobile alarms with GPS tracking
Monitoring of activities of daily living to detect, prevent, and predict care needs
The Human Impact
Behind every statistic and policy discussion are real people – older Australians who want to remain in their own homes, adult children worried about their parents' safety, and carers seeking peace of mind. Personal emergency alarms with 24/7 monitoring provide a practical solution that supports independence while ensuring safety.
For many families, these devices represent the difference between a parent or grandparent being able to live independently and requiring a move to residential care. They enable calculated risks and maintain dignity while providing the security net that modern technology makes possible.
A Call for Action
The delay of the Support at Home program until November 2025 provides an opportunity to get this right. Australia has the chance to learn from international best practices and create a system that truly supports ageing in place.
Technology-enabled care isn't about replacing human connection or professional healthcare – it's about enhancing these relationships and ensuring that help is available when it's needed most. As we move towards an older Australia, we need policies that embrace innovation while prioritising safety and independence.
The conversation about funding 24/7 monitoring services isn't just about aged care policy – it's about the kind of society we want to be. One that supports older Australians to live safely and independently, that uses technology wisely to enhance care, and that recognises the value of prevention over crisis response.
At Tunstall Healthcare, we're committed to supporting older Australians and people with disabilities to live safely and independently. Our Connected Care solutions, including personal alarms and 24/7 monitoring services, are designed to provide peace of mind for individuals and their families while supporting the broader healthcare system.
For more information about Australia's ageing population statistics, visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections.
