New day respite centre opens in Walcha

The new day respite centre for older people and people with dementia is officially opens at Apsley Riverview Hostel, 2e Hill Street, Walcha at 9.45am on 25 February 2009.

Rev Bruce Meller, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in New South Wales will officiate at the opening.

“The Willow Wing extension will provide valuable additional space for residents of Apsley Riverview as well as being the venue for the day respite service three days per week,” said Paul Sadler, chief executive officer, Presbyterian Aged Care NSW & ACT (PAC).

The day respite service commenced in April 2008, initially operating from the main hostel.  The dedicated centre allows PAC Apsley Riverview to expand the number of clients up to 15 people per day for three days per week.

Already this is proving to be an important service for carers of older people or those with dementia in Walcha and the surrounding region.  It provides them with access to a support service that reduces carer burden and frees up the carers to undertake vital activities to maintain their health and wellbeing.

PAC was one of only 30 successful applicants around Australia for the demonstration program to operate day respite in a residential care facility.  Apsley Riverview was reportedly the only service to be funded in the New England area.

Key features of the PAC Apsley Riverview Day Respite Service include:
• Day respite offered for three days per week, with links to other community care services or respite care in the hostel if needed.
• Capacity to provide extended hours to assist working carers and emergency respite where needed.
• A varied program for clients attending day care, including outings in the Apsley Riverview bus.

The Australian Department of Health & Ageing provides the funding for the day respite service from its National Respite for Carers Program.  In all, up to $1.1 million in operating funding will be provided for the PAC Apsley Riverview Day Respite Service from 2008 to 2011.

Construction of the Willow Wing extension cost around $700,000 and was funded from the Apsley Riverview reserves held by PAC.  Presbyterian Aged Care acknowledges a contribution of $75,000 to help set up the service from the Australian Government under the National Respite for Carers Program.

“The new day respite centre effectively completes the building program for Apsley Riverview.  It exemplifies the commitment Presbyterian Aged Care has to extend and improve the service we provide to Walcha and surrounding districts,” said Mr Sadler.

Presbyterian Aged Care provides aged and community care services and seniors housing across NSW and the ACT, including 10 residential care services, 6 community care services and 12 retirement villages serving more than 1,000 older people.