Funding for Seniors’ independent living in Wide Bay

28 June 2018

Funding for Seniors’ independent living in Wide Bay

More than $57 million will be provided to local organisations to help older Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast residents live independently at home for longer.

 Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM and Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funding would begin on 1 July and run for two years.
 
Mr O’Brien is encouraging Wide Bay residents in need of basic home support to apply.
 
“This is about giving local residents as much support and as many options as possible to remain living at home in their local communities, close to their families and friends,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“The funding will enable dozens of home support providers to continue their important work in local cities, towns and regional areas.
 
“Depending on their needs, people may be eligible to receive help with transport, domestic duties such as house cleaning, personal care, home maintenance and modifications, food preparation and meals on wheels, nursing, social support and respite care.
 
“The program is available for people aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
 
“It also includes support services for prematurely aged people on low incomes who are 50 years or over and are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
 
“Your home support plan should be reviewed by your service provider every 12 months, to ensure you are receiving services and supports that continue to be right for you,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
Minister Wyatt said the $57.1 million investment in the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast Aged Care Planning Regions was part of the Coalition Government’s $5.5 billion national commitment to CHSP from 2018 through to 2020.
 
“I have seen first-hand the enormous benefits of this program and how it helps older Australians and their families,” Minister Wyatt said.
 
“The CHSP funding complements the recent Federal Budget’s $5 billion aged care boost, including the More Choices For A Longer Life package to give people more certainty, options and independence.”
 
For details on the types of support services available under the CHSP, see https://agedcare.health.gov.au/news-and-resources/your-guide-to-commonwealth-home-support-programme-services
 
To access CHSP services, call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422
ENDS