MELTON’S growing elderly population is increasing pressure on local aged-care respite services.
Residents and community leaders say there’s a major shortage of services for high-care patients and warn the situation could get out of hand as Melton expands and its existing population continues to age.
Melton Council population forecasts show there will be a 280 per cent increase in the number of residents aged 70-74 by 2021, to 4108 people.
Kurunjang resident and former nurse Sofia Coughlan cares for her mother Christina Petkoff, who requires high care, on a full-time basis.
Mrs Petkoff attends the council-supported MelBacc respite service once a month, but Ms Coughlan says most families find it hard to secure respite care.
Local aged-care worker Sandra Charles, who assists with in-home respite, says the situation is getting out of hand.
“Whenever I talk to people in Melton, they say it’s hard to get into respite,” she said.
The council’s community care and inclusion manager, Coral Crameri, said the council provided facility-based, in-home and community based respite for eligible clients.
Five private residential care facilities provide respite: Trinity Gardens, Willowbrae, Sutton Park, Reg Geary House and Burnside Retirement Village.
Mayor Justin Mammarella said better access to aged-care respite services was needed.
“Common sense should prevail; we need more services … it’s another indication of the growth we are experiencing,” he said.
Melbacc provides short-term breaks for frail older people and those with dementia.
Mrs Coughlan said the service provided support and maintained the primary caregiving relationship for the person in respite.
“MelBacc is wonderful. But with the growing number of residents in the shire, we need more of these houses catering for respite.”
She said that without the relief of respite, she didn’t know how she would find time to pay bills, do the cleaning and go shopping.
“My mum needs high care [and] I need a bit of a rest as well. Looking after her, I’m up at all hours of the night, tending to her.”
Melton Labor MP Don Nardella said finding suitable care for elderly loved ones was a serious challenge for too many families.
“Before my dad passed away, we really struggled to find a place for him,” he said.
“We looked at places in Williamstown to Coburg and eventually got him into what was then called Melton Hostel. It was very difficult.”
Residents are hoping that federal aged-care reforms announced last month and costing $3.7 billion will help.
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