Govt waives assessment requirements for fire victims

The Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot has written to aged care facilities in Victoria detailing immediate waiving of  assessment requirements for respite care, while encouraging them to accept emergency residents where possible.

The Government will waive the assessment requirement for fire victims to enable them to access residential or in-home care “as quickly as possible”.

“This is about getting the support older Victorians need – whether it is a nursing home or help at home,” Mrs Elliot said.

Emergency funding for fire victims has been made available under the National Respite for Carers Program so that Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres can purchase or broker respite for people with short-term needs.

The Department of Health and Ageing has confirmed that evacuations have occurred at three facilities.

A total of 154 residents have been re-located from Bunyip Aged Care, Neerim District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital nad Beechworth Health Service Residential Care Program.

Mrs Elliot praised the response of staff and community members who have been involved in the evacuations.

“I commend the staff and management at these homes for their dedication to the care of their residents,” said Mrs Elliot.

“We will continue to respond to the needs of people affected by this disaster and will work with the aged care sector to ensure all of the elderly people affected receive the care they need.”

For more information, contact the Department of Health and Ageing in Victoria on (03) 9665 8601 or 1800 059 059.