Aromatherapists want ACFI change
Practitioners say their work in aged care has dramatically declined since the latest funding tool was introduced.
Aged care residents have missed out on valuable treatment and aromatherapists have seen a significant decline in business since the introduction of the Aged Care Funding Instument (ACFI), according to a Tasmanian practitioner.
Aileen Wright is a member of the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association’s council and she is spearheading a campaign to redress the situation.
Ms Wright says that the transition to funding based on care needed has meant that many facilities have started offering aromatherapy as a fee-for-service option.
“A lot of the residents don’t have money to pay for aromatherapy under a fee-for-service model,” she said. “And they say, ‘It was free for years, why should we pay now?’”
The IAAMA is currently preparing a submission to the Commonwealth’s ACFI review, calling for aromatherapy to be listed as an allied health category under the new funding instrument.
Ms Wright says she plans to travel to Canberra to speak directly with politicians and bureaucrats.
“Our only chance is if we can get to Canberra,” she said. “If we send in something they will see it is from the aromatherapists and they will put it on the bottom of the pile. It’s imperative that we go.”
The IAAMA has distributed a letter to 60 aromatherapists around the country, asking them to provide feedback on their experiences in aged care.
Aromatherapy uses massage, essential oils, vapourisers, spa baths and clay poultices to provide relief to people with pain, Parkinson’s disease, depression and dementia.
The deadline for submissions to the ACFI review is 12 March.
