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Bairnsdale Regional Health Service gets $85,000 upgrade to improve well being of aged care residents

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service success in aged care grants that will benefit Bairnsdale Regional Health Nursing Home, Jacaranda House Hostel and Sutherland Lodge to improve aged care wellbeing.

By news@gippsland - 23rd August 2022 - Back to News

The Andrews Labor government is making sure older Victorians continue to receive high-quality care, with more than 80 public sector aged care residential facilities receiving grants for upgrades. Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing today announced Bairnsdale Regional Health Service was among the successful recipients of $5.3 million in aged care equipment and facility upgrades that create new ways for residents to stay connected with each other and their loved ones.

Residential aged care facilities allow and provide a permanent and respite residents to age within the facility promoting independence and quality of life

Keeping residents active

The program helps staff provide more diverse and meaningful activities for residents and enhance their engagement with the outside community, particularly during the global pandemic, when people can't always rely on their usual methods of communication and contact.
The investments include:

• $1.6 million in grants for services to purchase devices such as laptops or tablets. This equipment can be used to help residents keep in touch online with family and loved ones and to bolster telehealth capacity
• $2.3 million for a pilot program to establish kitchen gardens in residential homes and improve wellbeing and social connections for residents
• $1.4 million to provide minor capital grants through the Significant Facility Refurbishment Initiative (SFRI) to support projects that enhance the quality and amenity of residential aged care facilities that directly benefit residents

Recipients include Bairnsdale Regional Health Service which received $85,000 in total for Bairnsdale Regional Health Nursing Home, Jacaranda House Hostel and Sutherland Lodge to create a series of accessible outdoor areas that incorporate kitchen gardens with a wide variety of edible plantings for residents to enjoy all year round.

Improving public aged care

These grants also support the recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission, which identified the need for greater emphasis on programs that increase community engagement, reduce social isolation, and enhance resident well being.

The Labor government has invested more than $618 million in capital improvements to public sector aged care since 2014, including more than $320 million in rural and regional Victoria.

Extra support for the elderly

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "Bairnsdale Regional Health Service is a key part of the Gippsland community and provides a vital service for our local elderly population. We're ensuring residents and staff are getting extra support to help them through these challenging times."

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks said, "The pandemic has highlighted the importance of keeping active and staying connected in our communities. Through these projects, we're making sure residents in our public sector residential aged care facilities have those opportunities too."

Pictures from Bairnsdale Regional Health Service Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com