More funding for aged care, disabilities

The state and federal governments will provide an additional $21.6 million in home and community care funding to Western Australia this year to aid older people and those with disabilities.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the total $288 million home and community care funding, up 8.1 per cent on 2014, included $12.4 million for new or expanded services for organisations that provide care closer to home.

“Services such as nursing, social support, respite care, domestic assistance and transport enable people to continue living independently in the community,” Dr Hames said.

“Community-based support is a key component in helping people access reliable, relevant and convenient care options and the non-government sector plays a pivotal role in developing and providing these services.”

He said volunteer agency People Who Care would receive $685,000 to expand home maintenance, social support and transport services in the north metropolitan area, while Silver Chain would benefit from $400,000 to expand nursing services in the Pilbara.

The Harold Hawthorne Senior Citizens Centre will receive $393,000 to expand home maintenance, personal care, social support and transport services in the south-east metropolitan area.

Of the total $288 million funding, $113.2 million is derived from the state government, while the remaining $174.8 million is given by the federal government.