Boost for Queensland respite dementia care
Seven community-based organisations which provide respite care for Queenslanders living with dementia or neurodegenerative conditions, have benefited from state government grants worth a total of $20 million.
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick and Annastacia Palaszczuk MP at the announcement for dementia respite funding this week.
Organisations from Toowoomba to Mareeba will receive funding over the next three years to extend respite service hours and deliver tailored care and client activities.
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick says the seven funded organisations could tailor the respite to the needs of both the client and their carer.
“This care allows clients to participate in a program designed around their needs while reassuring their carer that when they can’t be with them, their loved one is in a sage and supportive environment,” he says.
Funding recipient Alzheimer's Queensland received $2.7 million for its Ipswich Multi Service Centre (IMSC), which operates from two Queenslander-style cottages located on Chermside Road in Ipswich.
It offers a range of services from assisting people in their home to providing day and overnight respite.
State manager Ms Brooke Suess confirms the Centre currently supports between 20 – 25 people on a daily basis.
“We are very grateful for this funding as it allows us to support up to seven more people living with dementia or neurodegenerative conditions,” she says.
“Our day services start by helping people get up and dressed in the morning, and involve engaging the individual in the community and maintaining dignity.”
Ann Donaghy, service manager Centacare Enoggera, says they were delighted to receive the $5.2 million for services in Kingaroy, Hervey Bay, Enoggera, Coorparoo, Jambaroo Heights and Gympie.
“The biggest thing this money will do is bring dignity for both the client and the carer,” says Ms Donaghy.
Funding will be used in many ways included enhancing afternoon and evening services, enabling a carer to work full or part-time and not be restricted by their carer role. Ms Donaghy says around 120 working carers will benefit from this funding.
The other recipients of the funding are:
- Anglicare Southern Queensland – $3.2 million for services in Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Roma, Townsville, Taigum and Cleveland
- Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast t/a CURA Community Services – $1.3 million for services in Ashmore City
- Ozcare – $3.3 million for services in Burleigh Heads, Clontarf and Gulliver
- South Burnett Senior Citizens Welfare Association Inc – $1 million for services in Kingaroy, Nanango Yarraman and Wondai
- St John’s Community Care Limited – $3.2 million for services in Gordonvale, Innisfail, Mareeba and Redlynch
Mr Dick says there could be up to 75,650 Queenslanders living with dementia by 2019. It is also estimated that there could be up to 104,000 new cases of dementia in Queensland over the next four years.
