Country people should be able to age in their communities but not at the expense of “second-rate care”, argues federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.
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He reports that aged care is a “very tight business” in smaller communities in his electorate and $5 million in infrastructure grants for 15 residential homes will help them to continue to deliver quality care.
Mr Coulton is thrilled with the federal government’s investment in refurbishments, extensions and improvements to the mostly not-for-profit or council-owned facilities in communities including Gilgandra, Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Walgett, Wilcannia and Menindee
“It’s so important for people to be able to age in their own communities so they are surrounded by their families and lifelong friends,” Mr Coulton said.
“But we don’t want second-rate care for people just because they live in a country town.
“Sometimes in a smaller community it is more difficult to do that.
“These grants are helping facilities provide the right care.”
The smallest grant of $17,000 received by Nandebri Home Nursing at Narrabri will pay for the installation of “renewable energy equipment with battery storage”.
Coonabarabran’s Cooinda Hostel will use the biggest grant of $496,084 to renovate rooms and install air conditioning.
Nine of the 15 recipients are getting grants of more than $430,000.
They include Cooee Lodge Hostel in Gilgandra where $488,750 will be spent on a renovation project that includes a “kitchen demolition and refurbishment”.
The Naroo Frail Aged Hostel in Mr Coulton’s home town of Warialda is getting $487,455 to refurbish its existing kitchen and office.
RSL Lifecare at Condobolin has received $496,000 to refurbish and repair 23 bathrooms.
“These are some of the excellent infrastructure works that will greatly improve the standard of aged care and quality of life for our well-deserving seniors in the Parkes electorate,” Mr Coulton said.
He noted the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of NSW were using grants ranging from $56,717 to $220,712 to install solar panel and battery storage systems at Walgett, Bourke, Narrabri and Wee Waa.
“Air conditioning is a big cost in some places,” Mr Coulton said.
The announcement of funding for the 15 facilities from the Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grants scheme follows Mr Coulton’s advice that 31 “flexible” aged care places in the electorate are having their care level upgraded to “high”.
