Queensland will get an extra $36 million to support older people living independently in their own homes under the Commonwealth-State Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot and Queensland Minister for Disability Services Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement with Federal Member for Bonner Kerry Rea in Wynnum on Brisbane's bayside on International Day for Older Persons (October 1).

Minister Elliot said the extra HACC funding would deliver improved services to older people and their carers.

People want to remain independent, and in their own homes and communities for as long as they can, Minister Elliot said.

Home and Community Care services help many people stay at home rather than move prematurely into residential care.

Organisations operating these services provide invaluable assistance that helps older Queenslanders remain independent, in their communities and in their own homes, Minister Elliot said.

Minister Palaszczuk said more than 157,000 Queenslanders benefited from home and community care services last financial year.

I've seen the benefits Home and Community Care delivers to Queenslanders, she said.

It makes a real difference to the lives of people in our community who need help with everyday living, and it benefits their carers too.

The Rudd Government contributed $23.8 million and the Queensland Government $13 million under the $36.8 million funding package.

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.

Ms Rea said the Blue Care depot in Wynnum would receive three vehicles as part of the funding package.

This is a win for older Bayside residents and their carers, and it will mean better services for those who need them most, she said.

The Home and Community Care Program is an example of the Commonwealth and State Governments working together to deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.

Of the nearly 140 vehicles being funded throughout Queensland under the HACC funding, Blue Care will receive 35 cars and people movers worth more than $900,000.

The vehicles will help people access needed services such as centre based day care, allied health and nursing.

The additional funding is part of a three-year plan for HACC in Queensland, which will see the state receive nearly $1.3 billion over the next three years.

The funding will provide funds for:

  • Purchasing nearly 140 vehicles to provide transport;
  • Building modifications and the purchase of allied health equipment;
  • More than 152,000 hours of additional domestic assistance;
  • Almost 50,000 additional hours of allied health care; and
  • Nearly 100,000 hours of social support.

Other organisations to receive funding include:

  • $130,000 for a people mover to support delivery of transport services for the Pine Rivers Community - Assisted Transport Services. Plus an additional $99,610 in recurrent funding to the service to support 49 clients for social support services and provide transport services to 79 clients;
  • Churches of Christ in the Bundaberg region to receive more than $130,000 to expand domestic assistance, home maintenance, personal care and respite care and more than $73,000 to purchase two station wagons and office equipment; and
  • More than $294,000 for St Luke's Nursing Services in Townsville to expand needed services in allied health, centre based day care, domestic assistance, nursing care, personal care and respite care.

In 2009-10 the HACC program will receive $1.9 billion in funding nationally, with almost $1.2 billion of this contributed by the Australian Government.

In 2009-10, the Australian and Queensland Governments have provided a budget of $429.2 million for the ongoing delivery of the HACC program. This represents an increase of $44.8 million over the 2008-09 budget. This funding will be shared by more than 380 organisations delivering HACC services, including 147 Meals on Wheels providers, which will receive more than $5 million in meal subsidies.

Source: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr09-je-je113.htm

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