More Home Care Help for Older Queenslanders – Additional HACC Funding
The Australian and Queensland Governments have announced an additional $2.4 million in funding to improve for services for older Queenslanders.
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29 April 2009
The Australian and Queensland Governments today announced an additional $2.4 million in funding to improve for services for older Queenslanders – particularly those rural and regional services that assist people with dementia and their carers.
The announcement was made today by the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot and Queensland Minister for Disability Services, Ms Annastacia Palaszcuk.
Mrs Elliot provided details of the funding announcement on her visit to Rockhampton while visiting the jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government Suncare Rockhampton Access Point.
The Suncare Rockhampton Access Point is one of 10 Access Points across the nation. They are designed to provide a one-stop-shop to link older people with the community services they need such as meals on wheels.
Mrs Elliot said: “These centres make access to community care services easier for clients and carers by providing information, assessment for services and referrals.”
Suncare Rockhampton Access Point received more than $117,000 in joint funding this year through the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program. It has recently expanded its service area to include Banana Shire, Central Highlands and Gladstone and in March 2009 it was expanded to Wide Bay in the Bundaberg region.
Today’s $2.4 million funding boost is part of the HACC Program. This program would see Queensland receive more than $384.3 million in 2008-2009. The funding comprises $248.4 million from the Australian Government and $135.9 million by the Queensland Government.
HACC delivers affordable and accessible care to help meet the individual needs of older people, younger people with a disability, and their carers which helps them remain independent and in their own homes.
Mrs Elliot said: “We are constantly reminded that as people age they want to remain independent and in their own homes and communities. Without Home and Community Care services, many people would have to move prematurely into residential care.
“HACC services include domestic help, home maintenance, delivered meals, personal care and social support to assist both frail older and younger people with a disability to remain living in the community.
“It will benefit older and disabled people in our community who require some assistance with everyday living,” Mrs Elliot said.
Today’s funding announcement comprises:
- More than $1.3 million for additional services for people with dementia and their carers, particularly in rural and remote communities; and
- Almost $1.1 million for seven new Multicultural Advisory Services in regional and metropolitan areas to help equip service providers on how to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate support.
Ms Palaszcuk said: “This funding boost will be assist HACC service providers to meet the specific needs of people with dementia. It would increase counselling services, information, advocacy support for clients and carers, and training for service providers in regional Queensland.
“It will benefit older and disabled people in our community who require some assistance with everyday living,” Ms Palaszcuk said.
In 2008-2009 the HACC program will receive $1.79 billion nationally, of which $1.09 billion will be contributed by the Australian Government.
Mrs Elliot said: “The HACC program is central to the Australian Government’s vision for a world-class aged care system that delivers high-quality, affordable and accessible care to meet the individual needs of older people with a disability and their carers.
Overall, in 2008-09, the Australian Government would invest $1.7 billion in aged and community care in Queensland.
Over the next four years (from 2008-09), the Australian Government will provide $7.4 billion to Queensland to support aged and community care.
For more information:
Mrs Elliot's office (02) 6277 7280
Ms Palaszcuk office 0488 471 689
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