More than $1.2 million for ACT employed carer respite
Additional funding of more than $1.25 million over four years will be provided to expand respite care in the ACT specifically to assist employed carers looking after older people.
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7 February 2006
SS007/06
Additional funding of more than $1.25 million over four years will be provided to expand respite care in the ACT specifically to assist employed carers looking after older people.
The Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, today announced funding of up to $1,256,639 over four years to Villaggio Sant’ Antonio in Page for a new respite service. The new service will support the complex respite needs of carers balancing caring and work responsibilities, with a special focus on those caring for people with dementia.
The service will provide flexible specialised respite care from 7am to 7pm seven days a week. Carers will also have access to longer periods of respite in a familiar environment through the existing co-located dementia specific care wing.
The ACT funding is part of $65 million provided to expand respite care for employed carers of frail older people across Australia from January 2006.
The programs chosen to receive additional funding will provide flexible respite options for primary carers who work or are seeking to work, thereby assisting them in combining their caring responsibilities and work opportunities.
"This is the first significant Australian Government funding for this type of respite care. These projects will provide respite care that is responsive to the needs of both the employed carer and the person cared for, and will help develop longer term strategies to meet the needs of working carers into the future," Senator Santoro said.
"The extra services funded by this measure will make a big difference to carers who also want or need to work.
"Carers who help older people, usually family or friends, are making a great contribution to our community, but should also be supported in earning an income. Thanks to their efforts many people are able to stay in their own homes instead of being forced into residential care," he said.
The 2005-06 Budget provided $207.6 million over four years for a variety of respite care to build on the government’s current investment in supporting carers.
Media contact: Bob Pounds (02) 6277 7280 or 0408 612 603
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