Man dies after months-long wait for at-home care
A man has died after his almost year-long wait to receive his government-approved at-home care.
Cyril Tooze, 86, was approved for a Level 4 Home Care Package in January, but almost one year on, he was still waiting for access to the money to fund daily assistance with physical, medical and social tasks.
After sharing his story with 7News in October, Tooze candidly admitted that he was pursuing the avenue of voluntary assisted dying, saying at the time, "There is no hope."
Just weeks later, Tooze has passed away.
While in hospital after suffering a fall, Mr Tooze passed away on Friday, weighing just 46kg.
Independent federal Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie, who advocated for Mr Tooze to receive his government funding, said it had been an honour to have known him.
"The man that I knew, he had such courage and such dignity to the very end," she said.
"To the very end he wanted his situation to shed light and provide a human story for the 76,000 other older Australians who, just like him, are deteriorating, having accidents and injuring themselves while waiting for a Home Care package that they've been assessed as needing."
"Despite a new Act being passed in the House of Representatives with urgency, there is no plan from the government to address the blown-out waiting list and the reality is that people are dying while they're waiting for Home Care."
Federal aged care minister Anika Wells said her thoughts were with Mr Tooze's family and friends "as we mourn their loss but appreciate Cyril's life and his commitment to helping older Australians."
Image credits: Nine