LENGTHY waits for emergency hospital care are the result of elders waiting for aged care beds ("Aged care shortage chokes hospitals", The Age, 2/6). Occupancy rates in nursing homes consistently average around 93 per cent. However, tens of thousands of nursing home residents are classified as "low care". Many of these elders might still be in their own homes if it were not for the severe rationing of community aged care packages by successive federal governments.

The demand for packages outstrips supply by 10 to one. It is socially and economically irrational for this rationing to have continued for so long. This year's budget papers acknowledge consumer preference for care at home and the lower costs. Accordingly a marginal shift has been made in favour of subsidies for home care rather than for institutional care.

Unlike high-care residents, low-care residents are required to pay accommodation bonds to nursing home providers.

The question is just whose interests have been served by the rationing of home care?

Carol Williams, Elder Care Watch, Blackburn