$13.3 Million to Help People in NSW Remain Independent, in their Homes and in their Communities

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10 June 2009

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, and the New South Wales Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Mr Paul Lynch, today announced an extra $13.3 million for Home and Community Care (HACC) services in New South Wales.

HACC delivers affordable and accessible care to help meet the individual needs of older people, and their carers.

This includes help with household chores, home maintenance and modification, transport, meals, personal care and allied health and nursing care.


HACC is a joint Australian and NSW Government initiative that helps frail older people, younger people with a disability and their carers remain independent and in their homes by providing them with support and assistance.

The additional funding will support 400 new or extended HACC projects across NSW including:

• $2.4 million to selected services to assist in providing food, transport and respite services to older Australians, people with a disability, and carers;
• $60,000 for a bus with a wheelchair lift for the Shoalhaven Dementia Day Care;
• More than $60,000 to extend a HACC centre in Tamworth to incorporate Meals on Wheels services; and
• More than $2 million to extend HACC services in the Cumberland Prospect region of North West Sydney.

Mrs Elliot said: “We know that as people age they want to remain independent and in their own homes and communities. HACC services help many people stay at home rather than move prematurely into residential care.”

“This funding boost will be directed into areas such as social support, transport, centre-based day care, domestic assistance, nursing and personal care across New South Wales,” Mrs Elliot said.

Mr Lynch said: “This program helps more than 223,000 people in New South Wales a year - some of whom may otherwise have had to prematurely move into permanent residential aged care.”

“This funding will benefit older and people with a disability in our community who require some assistance with everyday living,” Mr Lynch said.

New South Wales will receive joint HACC funding of $546.3 million in 2008-09, of which the Australian Government will contribute $326.9 million and the New South Wales Government $219.3 million.

Media contacts: Mrs Elliot's office - 02 6277 7280 or Mr Lynch’s office - 0408 602 936

 

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