Older people in the New England Electorate will receive extra support and care services, such as cleaning, meals, nursing care and transport, to remain living independently at home thanks to a $2.6 million Australian Government investment.

 

The Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the funding was part of a $240 million investment under the Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

 

“This extra funding will help expand existing services or create new ones in identified priority areas of need in the New England Electorate, Mr Joyce said.

 

“In New England, we know there is a real need for domestic assistance, social support, and transport, and that’s where the majority of the funding will go.

 

“These services are essential to older people staying safe and well and remaining connected to their community and in control of their own lives.”

 

“The Australian Government believes that older Australians should have the support and care they need to continue to live at home as long as they choose.”

 

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield said “The Commonwealth HACC program provides critical basic maintenance, care and support services where most people prefer to receive it—in their own homes and communities.

 

“We have made sure a large portion of the funding is going towards services that meet each region’s most pressing needs,” he said.

 

Details of the organisations to receive funding in the 2013 Commonwealth HACC funding round for the New England Electorate and the amounts allocated are:

 

Armidale Care for Seniors Inc

            Centre-based day care                                                            $65,000

            Social Support                                                                         $12,420

 

Armidale/Uralla Meals on Wheels Inc

            Meals                                                                                       $88,400

 

Gunnedah Council

            Social support                                                                          $35,621

 

Home Nursing Group (Armidale)

            Domestic assistance                                                               $347,800

            Home maintenance                                                                 $31,450

            Social support                                                                          $377,400

 

Hunter New England Local Health District

            Allied Health                                                                            $289,807

 

Integratedliving Australia Ltd (Armidale)

            Meals                                                                                       $252,000

            Nursing care                                                                            $84,500

 

McLean Care Ltd (Inverell)

            Domestic assistance                                                                $398,160

            Social support                                                                          $310,800

 

Presbyterian Aged Care NSW & ACT (Walcha Community Care)

            Domestic assistance                                                                $92,632

 

Tamworth Meals on Wheels Inc

            Meals                                                                                       $86,241

 

Tenterfield HACC Committee Inc

            Meals                                                                                       $35,340

            Personal care                                                                           $72,000

 

The Ascent Group Australia Limited

(Uralla Home & Community Care)

            Centre-based day care                                                             $5,824

            Home maintenance                                                                  $14,312

            Transport                                                                                  $8,844

 

Total for the New England Electorate:                                                 $2,608,551