An innovative new service to help older Western Australians who require additional support to remain at, or return to, their own homes has been established in Bicton.
The Federal Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, today visited the Intermittent Care Service pilot, which will provide 30 residential aged care places, and 20 places in the community to help older West Australians with chronic or complex conditions who are ready to be discharged from public hospitals, or are on the verge of requiring hospitalisation or admission to residential aged care.
The Australian and Western Australian Governments will provide around $4.6 million for the pilot, which will be operated by Carinya of Bicton and St Ives Care Group.
“This pilot program will help older Western Australians who are at the crossroads of care,” Ms Bishop said. “These packages will provide rehabilitation and convalescent services for older Western Australians in hospital who need special care to help them regain their independence and return home.
“It will also assist people who need extra support to remain at home, rather than prematurely entering residential aged care.
“As our population ages, older Australians are increasingly demanding greater choice in when, how and where they receive aged care services. Overwhelmingly, they want to remain at home as they age.
“That is why the Australian Government is committed to working in partnership with the states and territories on projects like this pilot, and to establish the 2,000 new transitional care places which we will introduce from July this year.
“These services help to improve the quality of life for older Australians, as well as reduce admissions to hospital and high level residential aged care,” Ms Bishop said.
The Carinya of Bicton Intermittent Care project began on 1 February and will run for 17 months. It provides services to most clients for eight to 12 weeks. The pilot complements an Intermittent Care Pilot, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, being run in
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