Jean Mathew, a 78-year-old woman living near Adelaide, South Australia, cherishes her home full of memories and her beloved rose bushes planted by her late husband. Despite her independence, she is facing the difficult decision of potentially moving into aged care after being assessed by the federal government’s integrated assessment tool (IAT), an algorithm that determines the level of support she receives. Notably, Jean has cerebral palsy and, though she is capable of managing many daily tasks, she relies on support workers for personal care.

The changes in her funding have raised concerns among her support network, particularly her friend Peter Schulz, who thought her funding would be increased given her circumstances. The IAT algorithm has been described by Jean and her supporters as 'outrageous' for cutting her support, igniting discussions about the fairness and transparency of such tools used in aged care assessments. This situation underscores a broader issue within the aged care system in Australia, where numerous individuals are affected by similar assessments that may not accurately reflect their needs.

The implications of this shift in funding extend beyond just Jean, as it highlights the challenges faced by many elderly Australians navigating the aged care system, particularly those who are independent but still require some level of support. The reliance on an algorithm for such critical assessments raises ethical questions about decision-making in vulnerable populations and the need for more personalized and human-centric approaches to care. There is an urgent call for reforms to ensure that older Australians maintain their dignities and remain in their homes for as long as possible while receiving the appropriate care and support they deserve.