 | FUNDING HELPS VICTORIANS REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND COMMUNITIES
From the Minister for Senior Victorians
Monday, 01 November 2010
Seniors and people living with a disability across Victoria will be assisted to prepare for extreme weather and tackle climate change in their homes as part of a $5.4 million funding boost from the Commonwealth and State Governments.
Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler and Victorian Minister for Senior Victorians Lisa Neville today announced that Home and Community Care (HACC) service providers right across the state would share in the funding boost.
HACC is a joint Australian Government and Victorian Government initiative which delivers affordable and accessible care to help meet the individual needs of older community members, people with a disability and their carers.
“The Gillard Labor Government is pleased to work in partnership with the Brumby Labor Government to increase our investment to this important program which allows older Victorians to remain in their home where they have told us they want to be,” Mr Butler said.
“We are committed to ensuring more people can remain independent in their own homes and communities, close to friends and family for as long as possible.
“HACC helps seniors, people with a disability and their carers by providing services such as help with home maintenance and modification, transport, meals, personal care and allied health and nursing care.
“It provides the practical assistance that many older Australians need to complete day to day tasks.”
Minister Neville said part of the new investment would help senior Victorians prepare for extreme weather, including heatwaves, and reduce the impact of climate change in their homes.
“This extra funding will help frail older Victorians to install water recycling, water saving devices, low emission temperature control measures and related home maintenance.”
“This can include grey water diverters, water saving showerheads, installation of shades and other devices to maintain house temperature.”
“The additional investment will also help agencies implement a restorative approach to delivering services for older people, the Victorian Active Service Model.
“It promotes a ‘doing with’ not ‘doing for’ approach, so that older people can maintain their independence.
“This model involves people in setting their own goals and making decisions about their care and it provides timely and flexible services.
“We are committed to supporting older Victorians to stay as healthy and active as possible in their home.”
The Australian Government contributed $3.2 million and the Victorian Government contributed $2.2 million to the $5.4 million package.
The new investment takes the total annual investment in HACC services in Victoria to $503 million in 2010-11 for about 480 agencies. This is an increase of more than $30 million from last year.
This year, more than $2 billion is expected to be provided for HACC services nationally, of which the Australian Government will contribute more than $1.2 billion.
HACC assists over 260,000 Victorians a year needing domestic help, nursing, allied health such as physio and podiatry, delivered meals, social support and personal care.
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