A disability transport bus, aged housing refurbishments and the upskilling of residential care staff are among local aged care projects to soon benefit from Royalties for Regions funding.
Three Building Capacity to Support Ageing in the Community projects, from a total of 12, will assist residents in the local towns of Katanning and Kojonup and their surrounds, including –
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Juniper Disability Accessible Transport, Katanning – funding of $150,000 will contribute towards the purchase of a disability accessible transport bus to enable safe transport of residents to appointments and access to community activities.
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Kojonup Health Precinct – Aged Housing Adaptability Refurbishment, Age-Appropriate Accommodation and Springhaven Frail Aged Hostel Renovations and Alterations – funding of $1.536 million will contribute towards adapting existing units, improve amenities of the 22 bed Residential Care Facility and the construction of age-appropriate accommodation to improve the quality of life of elderly residents.
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Workforce Investment, Katanning and Kojonup – funding of $11,200 will contribute towards the training and upskilling of residential care staff to enhance the delivery of care to end of life and dementia care patients.
The local organisations have been awarded funding to assist older people to remain independent, involved and contributing members in their communities.
The grants are part of a $13.67 million investment in regional aged care through the $500 million Southern Inland Health Initiative (SIHI), made possible by Royalties for Regions.
The Nationals’ Candidate for Roe Peter Rundle said collaboration and investment in age-appropriate health services was fundamental to the ongoing growth of the region,
“Aged care reforms focusing on supporting age-friendly communities and age-appropriate accommodation where people feel supported, safe and secure are transforming the way health and aged care services are delivered in regional WA,” Mr Rundle said.
“This approach benefits the person, their family and friends and the community-at-large that is richer for having older people participating within the community.”
Member for the Agricultural Region Martin Aldridge MLC, who represents the Regional Development Minister on the SIHI Governance Committee, said eligible organisations were invited to apply for one-off grants as part of a competitive process.
The successful applicants were able to demonstrate that they could enhance facilities and services that would help regional residents to remain in their community as they aged,” Mr Aldridge said
“It is essential we allow older people the choice to live in their home towns.”
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron said: “It’s great to see Royalties for Regions continue to invest in projects that allow ageing community members to stay in their own communities for as long as possible.”
A fourth successful project under the scheme in the electorate is for a grant of $3.019 million towards the Karinya Well Aged Upgrade and Extension, in Narrogin.
Implementation of the projects is about to commence, with most to be completed by the end of 2017. For more information, visit http://www.health.wa.gov.au/southerninland
For media enquiries contact Terry Waldron on 9881 1225 or email terry.waldron@mp.wa.gov.au or Peter Rundle on M: 0418 959 810 or E: peter.rundle@nationalswa.com
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