$864,630 Boost for Two Carers Services in Page

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Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot and Member for Page, Janelle Saffin today announced more than $864,000 for two local organisations to support respite services for carers in Page.

Respite services provide valuable time-out for people who care for their friends or family members with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The projects are:

• St Carthage's Community Care Seniors Respite Service which will receive an additional $514,630; and
• St Andrews Village Ballina which will receive $350,000.

The $864,630 is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to carers through the National Respite for Carers Program, which is providing $194 million in 2008-09.

Mrs Elliot said: “The program funds more than 600 community-based respite services across Australia. It delivers services in a variety of settings – including carers’ homes, day centres and overnight cottages.

“Caring for someone full time is physically and emotionally demanding and carers need to be able to take deserved breaks,” Mrs Elliot said.

Ms Saffin said this funding will help these local organisations offer new or expanded respite services to meet their communities’ needs.

“Respite can allow the carer to go to work for a few hours, go to the shops, or simply to socialise with friends,” Ms Saffin said.

Mrs Elliot and Ms Saffin made the official announcement at St Carthage's Community Care Seniors Respite Service in Goonellabah.

The St Carthages Community Care Seniors Respice Service provides short-term and emergency respite care.

St Andrews Village in Ballina will receive funding for an Aboriginal day centre program covering Ballina, Byron Bay, Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Lismore and Grafton. The project will incorporate overnight respite and centre based day respite.

Ms Saffin said respite can allow the carer to go to work for a few hours, go to the shops, or simply to socialise with friends.

Community-based respite services are funded to provide respite opportunities in a variety of settings, such as:

• Day care centres which provide respite for a half or full day;
• In-home respite services, including overnight care and personal care services;
• activity programs;
• Respite for carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviour; and
• Flexible respite in community settings.

“The Australian Government is committed to improving respite services around the country in response to the needs of our ageing population and their carers,” Mrs Elliot said.

Media Contacts:
Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
Ms Saffin’s office Lee Duncan 0448 158 150

 

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