More care for Tasmania's carers
The Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, announced that carers of older Tasmanians will benefit from an additional $189,484 in respite funding.
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17 May 2004 | JB073/04 |
More care for Tasmania's carers
Carers of older Tasmanians will benefit from an additional $189,484 in respite funding announced today by the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop.
The Minister announced the funding during her address to the National Seniors Association Zone Conference being held in Hobart.
"The Australian Government recognises the desire of growing numbers of older Tasmanians to remain independent at home and in their own community as they age," Ms Bishop said.
"Carers play a pivotal and selfless role in helping caring for older Tasmanians and enabling them to stay at home for longer.
"Being a carer can be very demanding and we recognise that carers also have needs, and require support, such as taking a well-deserved break from their caring role through respite," Ms Bishop said.
"These additional funds will give Tasmanian carers extra respite in their local area."
The new funding will be distributed between the three Tasmanian Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres and to provide additional respite for Tasmanian carers. The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres are funded through the Australian Government's National Respite for Carers Program. The Centres help carers coordinate respite services and can purchase respite services to meet short-term, emergency or unplanned needs.
In Tasmania, the Northern Centre will receive $40,000, the North West Centre $50,000 and the Southern Centre $30,000. The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre South will also receive funding of $26,350 for a trial of a residential respite booking service in Southern Tasmania.
"Additional funding of $43,134 will also be provided for four respite services to undertake some minor capital upgrade work," Ms Bishop said.
This respite funding for Tasmania comes in addition to the Australian Government's $2.2 billion Investing In Australia's Aged Care: More Places, Better Care package announced in the 2004-2005 Budget. Older Tasmanians and their carers and families will benefit from the package through increased aged care places in the State, as well as additional funding to help providers deliver quality aged care services.
Media contact: Rachael Thompson 0417 265 289.