Balmoral Uniting Community Care Centre will get an extra $55,548 to support frail aged people, younger people with disabilities and their carers, Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.
Ms Palaszczuk and State Member for Bulimba Di Farmer visited the centre, which will use the funds to help people live independently for longer.
The $55,548 in extra funding comes thanks to a $36 million boost to Queensland’s Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
Ms Palaszczuk and Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot announced the extra $36 million funding boost to the joint State-Federal HACC program, worth $1.3 billion over the next three years, early last month.
“Balmoral Uniting Community Care will receive $55,548 as a result of this funding boost,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The joint Commonwealth-State program allows frail aged people and younger people with disabilities to receive support to maintain and promote their independence in their own homes in their chosen community.
“Without the basic maintenance and support services provided by the HACC program, many frail older people and younger people with a disability would have to move prematurely into residential care.”
Ms Farmer said the extra funds would enable Balmoral Uniting Community Care to provide additional home support, including domestic assistance, personal care and centre-based day care services to the local community.
“This funding boost will allow the centre to support an extra 50 clients from Balmoral, Bulimba and the surrounding suburbs; meaning they will be improving the lives of around 200 people from our local community,” Ms Farmer said.
“The Bligh Government recognises that by helping our older citizens maintain their independence they can enjoy better quality of life with family and friends and continue to contribute to their community.
“It is also important to note that this funding boost will make the jobs of the centre’s 70-odd volunteer staff that little bit easier.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the HACC program was testimony to the cooperation between the Bligh and Rudd Labor Governments.
“The Bligh Government through its Towards Q2 vision supports fairer and stronger communities and this funding boost is another step towards achieving these targets”, Ms Palaszczuk said.
Media contact: David Robertson on 3227 6164 or 0410 541 055
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