PDF printable version of $2.3 Million to Help People in ACT Remain Independent, in their Home and in their Community (PDF 33 KB)
Joint Release
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Minister for Ageing
Mr John Hargreaves MLA
Australian Capital Territory
Minister for Ageing
14 September 2009
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and ACT Minister for Ageing, John Hargreaves today announced a $2.3 million funding boost to the Home and Community Care services in the ACT.
Home and Community Care (HACC) is a joint Australian and state and territory government program that delivers affordable and accessible care to help meet the individual needs of older people, and their carers.
Services include help with household chores, home maintenance and modification, transport, meals, personal care and allied health and nursing care.
Minister Elliot said; “People want to remain independent and in their own homes and communities for as long as they can. Home and Community Care services help many people stay at home rather than move prematurely into residential care.
In 2008 there were more than 23,000 people in the ACT over the age of 70, by 2020 it is estimated this number will increase to nearly 40,000.
More than $1.5 million of today’s funding announcement is for new projects and includes $1 million for Home Help Services ACT Inc (HHS) which is celebrating 60 years of service to older Canberrans.
Minister Elliot said: “This funding boost to Home Help Service ACT Inc will provide more than 19,000 hours in additional community care for older people in the ACT,” Minister Elliot said.
Minister Hargreaves said: “Last year in the ACT more than 10,000 people were helped through HACC services.
“Home Help Services ACT Inc provide home modifications, such as constructing wheelchair accessible ramps, installing support rails and providing personal care and garden maintenance.
“HHS is one of the ACT’s leading aged care service providers. In an average year it will spend more than 100,000 hours providing home support services,” Minister Hargreaves said.
The other four organisations to benefit from the new project funding are:
- Goodwin Aged Care Services Ltd - $110,700 for the More than Armchair Aerobics program;
- Gungahlin Regional Community Service Inc - $186,370 for social support and centre-based day-care;
- Alzheimer’s Australia ACT Inc - $68,775 for an expansion of the Dementia Links Program and;
- Community Options Inc - $49,500 for Case Management services targeted to people from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background.
Media Contacts:
Mrs Elliot's office - (02) 6277 7280
Kim Fisher (Minister Hargreaves) - 0434 020498
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