Source: Office of the Minister for Community Services, Hon. Lisa Neville MP

FROM THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

DATE: Monday, May 5, 2008

NEW ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR YOUNGER GEELONG PEOPLE STUCK IN AGED CARE FACILITIES

Younger people with disabilities in the Geelong area will be helped to move out of residential aged care services into specially provided units thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Brumby Government.

Community Services Minister Lisa Neville announced today that not-for-profit organisation Karingal had been chosen to construct a new housing as part of the Government’s my future my choice program.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to support people with disabilities. The units at Karingal will provide important and flexible accommodation and support for people as their support needs change, and will enhance their independence,” Ms Neville said.

“While it is important to move those younger people out of aged residential care who want to leave, we also recognise it is just as important to help prevent younger people at risk from entering aged care facilities.

Ms Neville said the Brumby Government’s my future my choice initiative targets people aged less than 50 either living in, or at risk of entering, residential aged care facilities where the average age of the residents is over 80. It aims to reduce the number of younger people living in residential aged care by more than 35 per cent by June 2011.

In addition to $885,000 for construction of the units, which will accommodate six people, Karingal will receive at least $690,000 a year in recurrent funding. In return, Karingal will provide the site for the development.

“To date, my future my choice has funded 34 individual support packages that have enabled 11 younger people to exit residential aged care and 23 younger people to avoid entering residential aged care. Another 92 younger people have received disability supports, to enhance their quality of life whilst in residential aged care,” Ms Neville said.

“Backed by $60.2 million in joint State and Federal funding spread over five years, my future my choice has now approved the development of seven new services that will provide 46 new shared supported accommodation places for people exiting residential aged care or at risk of entering residential aged care.

“Karingal has been established in the Barwon region for more than 40 years and has a history of successfully working with people with high support needs in a range of accommodation and support settings.

“It has a well developed knowledge base and understanding of the needs of its clients. This has been enhanced by its role as the my future my choice planning organisation for the region.”