Uniting AgeWell has secured 18 additional Short-Term Restorative Care packages, aimed at supporting seniors to improve function and boost their wellbeing at home.
The new packages were announced by Federal Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt on Thursday.
The Melbourne Northern Metro home care team – which already delivers 10 packages – received eight additional packages that will commence in the coming weeks.
The Melbourne Eastern Metro home care team will receive 10 new packages in the 2019-20 financial year that will be ongoing thereafter.
General Manager Strategy & Business Development Fonda Voukelatos said the announcement was a “huge boost” for people wanting to remain at home with a short burst of coordinated allied health assistance.
“This allocation makes clear the Commonwealth Government has great confidence in our organisation and the services we provide older people," he said.
The new packages were part of a $58 million funding boost that will create 775 additional Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) packages nationally.
“Short-term restorative care boosts health, gets people up and about and improves their wellbeing and outlook on life,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Importantly, senior Australians are in the driver’s seat, with carefully tailored care plans designed with and approved by them.”
Restorative care programs are delivered over a period of up to eight weeks in the person’s home, with clear goals agreed with each individual.
Services can include strengthening exercises, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, along with home and furniture modifications.