Victoria & Queensland HACC funding boosts
Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, and Victorian Minister for Senior Victorians, Lisa Neville, have announced that Home and Community Care (HACC) service providers across Victoria will share in a Federal and state jointly funded $5.4 million funding boost to help tackle climate change and extreme weather conditions.
The extra funding will help older Victorians to install water recycling, water saving devices, low emission temperature control measures and related home maintenance.
This can include grey water diverters, water saving showerheads, installation of shades and other devices to maintain house temperature.
The additional investment will also help agencies implement a restorative approach to delivering services for older people, the Victorian Active Service Model.
It promotes a ‘doing with’ not ‘doing for’ approach, so that older people can maintain their independence.
The Australian Government contributed $3.2 million and the Victorian government contributed $2.2 million to the $5.4 million package.
Queensland will receive almost $51 million in extra HACC funding, with 230 organisations to share in the money, jointly funded by Federal and state governments. Almost $7 million of the extra funding has been allocated for minor and major home modifications to help older people live at home without the need for residential care.
The Federal Government contributed $33 million and the Queensland government contributed $18 million in funding.
230 organisations would share in the funding through the joint Commonwealth-state program.
Minor modifications include installing a hand-held shower, relocating power-points or modifying steps. Major modifications can include the installation of stair lifts, ramps or complex bathroom modifications.
Almost 5,000 Queenslanders are set to benefit from these modifications. About 170,000 Queenslanders benefited from HACC services last year.
Queenslanders looking for information on HACC can contact their local HACC provider or call Disability and Community Care Services, Department of Communities on phone (07) 3247 3847, or email haccadmin@communities.qld.gov.au.
