Major funding boost for rural and remote aged care
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Older Australians living in rural and remote communities are set to benefit from $135 million in new government funding for aged care services in these areas.
The capital grants program run by the federal Department of Health is specifically targeting aged care providers operating outside of the major cities. The funding will allow them to build new facilities, renovate existing ones, and improve accommodation for staff.
A big focus is on making aged care more accessible and culturally appropriate for First Nations communities. Over $60 million is earmarked for 30 different locations to upgrade and expand services serving Indigenous elders.
This includes creating more residential aged care beds and enhancing in-home care delivery in very remote parts of the country. An additional $3 million will help 11 providers offer more culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Staff accommodation is another key priority, with nearly $50 million allocated across 27 different providers. Having decent housing for workers makes it easier to attract and retain nurses, carers and other staff in rural and remote aged care.
The funding will also establish new specialist homeless services so more older people at risk of homelessness can access the aged care support they need. Eight metropolitan providers will share $22 million to improve this area.
Overall, the $135 million will deliver 76 infrastructure projects nationwide to boost aged care in the regions and remote areas.
A second round of the grant program will open in 2024, further expanding eligibility to even more regional, rural and remote aged care providers across Australia.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
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