Once-in-a-generation aged care reforms have taken effect, promising to improve the quality of care for older Australians, although industry leaders have issued warnings about the challenges ahead.

New rules under the Aged Care Act will now require some care recipients to pay more for support services in a bid to put the industry on a more even keel and improve the quality of care on offer.

While clinical support such as nursing and physiotherapy will still be fully subsidised, services including showering will now have a fee associated with them.

The overhaul will be grandfathered, meaning older Australians already in care will not be worse off.

The changes also include updated rights for older Australians around independence, privacy, safety and quality.

Home care provider Dovida, wh

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