Moorabool residents will benefit from a major increase in home and community care this year.
A boost in funding from the health department will allow the council to extend employment of a Djerriwarrh Health Services occupational therapist from two to three days a week. The increase will help reduce the waiting list for clients.
Council living-at-home assessment officers will also sit one day a week with an occupational therapist at Ballan District Health and Care to determine eligibility for home and community care in the shire’s western end.
Moorabool chief executive Rob Croxford said if community needs increased, the council would look to extend these “sittings” to two days a week.
Last year, Moorabool Shire’s Home and Community Care (HACC) service delivery increased by more than 900 hours and, with the introduction of new programs, was recognised and rewarded by the federal Department of Health.
The HACC program provides community-based care services to eligible frail-aged, and younger people with disabilities and their carers, enabling them to live independently in their home and community.
Mr Croxford said the latest lift in funding would mean clients would no longer have to wait for up to 12 months for the home visit-assessment service.
“We will continue to strive to provide excellent services by highly qualified staff to those who require our support.
“We will be working alongside the local health services and promoting our strong partnerships approach to allied health interventions, and we will be introducing new programs that address changes in clients’ needs.”
Mr Croxford said there would also be a dietitian on staff one day a week, and that there were plans to employ a physiotherapist one day a week to assist with nutritional requirements and mobility issues.
More hours of vital services would also include an increase in community-based meal programs in Korweinguboora, Yendon, Glen Park, Mt Wallace and Elaine.
“There has been wonderful work done by the staff in this department, ensuring some of our most vulnerable residents are receiving the support and dedicated care they require,” Mr Croxford said.
“And, along with Meals on Wheels, respite and property maintenance, it’s exciting to be able to add these extra health services to the services council already offers,” he said.
For the past five years, Moorabool shire’s aged and disability services has supported 650 to 750 clients a week, covering all areas in the shire.
For more information on council services, visit www.moorabool.vic.gov.au
