Extra HACC funding announced for Queensland
Older Queenslanders who live in their own homes will benefit from a $47 million Commonwealth boost to aged care services provided to them across the state this year through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program – a joint initiative of the Federal and state governments.
The HACC program is a major provider of essential community care services to frail aged people and younger people with disabilities and their carers, and its main objective is to promote and enhance the independence of people in these groups.
The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said Queensland will receive more than $47 million this financial year for HACC services – an increase of more than 10% compared with the previous year.
“HACC services operate in almost all areas of the state and help frail older people to live independently in their homes. In 2009-10 more than 170,000 Queenslanders received services under the HACC program. Without these support services, many of these people would have to move prematurely into residential or other forms of permanent care.”
Mr Butler added that the HACC funding for Queensland this year is particularly important given the difficulties older Queenslanders have recently faced dealing with the floods and its aftermath.
“This money will be provided to assist some HACC services that have felt the brunt of the floods in the state, and need funding to re-build or improve their services and get back on their feet after this significant natural disaster,” he said.
The HACC program in Queensland will provide a range of assistance, including help with household chores, home maintenance and modification, transport, meals, personal care and allied health and nursing care.
More than 9,000 new clients in Queensland will be able to receive assistance with home support services and about 8,200 new clients will be able to receive clinical and specialist care services such as assistance with administering medication, wound dressing, podiatry and occupational therapy.
