Funding boost for at home care services

as posted on TheWest

At home care services have received a $13 million funding boost from the State Government, bringing the amount spent to support elderly and disabled people in WA to $166 million.

Health Minister Jim McGinty said the nine per cent funding increase reflects the growing demand for Home and Community Care (HACC) programs in WA’s aging community.

Mr McGinty said HACC programs can mean the difference between elderly and disabled people living at home or in a residential care facility.

“It’s much better for the individual and the community as a whole if people can be supported to live in their own home for as long as possible,” Mr McGinty said.

HACC programs are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the State, and its operations include personal and respite care, home support, meals on wheels, home maintenance and counselling and advocacy services.

Several metropolitan groups will receive additional funding.

Gosnells Community Support Services will receive an extra $200,633, including $154,286 to expand services of domestic assistance, client assessment and transport services and a one-off grant of $46,347 to buy a new bus. The extra money takes its annual funding to $1.3million.

Southern Districts Support Association are promised an additional $382,740 including $224,261 to expand services in centre-based day care, transport services, domestic assistance and social support and a one-off grant of $158,479 to buy two new buses. The extra cash takes its annual funding to $1.3million.

The Volunteer Task Force will receive an extra $1,127,893, including $1,081,676 to expand north metropolitan services in home maintenance, assessment and transport services and a one-off grant of $46,217 to buy a new van, trailer and gardening equipment. All up the task force will receive $2million.

Perth Home Care Services have been allocated an additional $184,461 to expand east metropolitan services in social support, domestic assistance, respite and personal care and client care co-ordination. Perth Home Care Services all up funding will now be $1.5million.

BELLE TAYLOR

as posted on TheWest