Thursday, December 15 marked the official transfer of 273 Home Care Packages for seniors in the Loddon Mallee Region from Swan Hill Rural City Council (Council) to Uniting AgeWell.
At a special ceremony held at Swan Hill to mark the event, Council Mayor Les McPhee handed over a secure password USB containing clients’ confidential details to UA Board Chair Rev Allan Thompson.
Cr McPhee said the transition was a great way forward and he was confident UA would serve the regions home care clients very well.
“I know our seniors are in a great place, with a great future with Uniting AgeWell,” he said.
The decision by Council to transition out of the administration of Home Care Packages and a comprehensive tender process saw the selection of UA as the new approved provider in October.
Council CEO John McLinden said the council was pleased with the collaborative and consultative approach that both organisations had taken.
“The number one priority of this Council has been to ensure aged care packages continue to be delivered in the region and a shift to a new provider is done as seamlessly as possible,” he said.
UA CEO Andrew said the organisation was committed to maintaining a local focus with the packages individualised for the specific needs of each client.
“We want to build on the existing relationships and create more choice,” he said.
Ensuring Loddon Mallee seniors receive the support and care they want to continue living independently and ageing well at home, with ready access to the services they need to do that, is a key motivator for UA.
A project team of UA and Council staff worked closely together with service partners over the last two months to ensure a smooth transition.
Uniting AgeWell will have a strong local presence with staff and offices located in Swan Hill, Mildura, Kerang, Echuca, Serpentine and Bendigo.
Uniting AgeWell’s presence in the Loddon Mallee now covers 10 Local Government Areas – Swan Hill, Mildura, Gannawarra, Loddon, Central Goldfields, Mount Alexander, Buloke, Macedon Ranges, Greater Bendigo and Campaspe.