JANUARY 13, 2015 \ MELTON.STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Boost for care services Moorabool residents will benefit from a major increase in home and community care this year. A boost in funding from the health department will allow the council to extend employment of a Djerriwarrh Health Services occupational therapist from two to three days a week. The increase will help reduce the waiting list for clients. Council living-at-home assessment officers will also sit one day a week with an occupational therapist at Ballan District Health and Care to determine eligibility for home and community care in the shire’s western end. Moorabool chief executive Rob Croxford said if community needs increased, the council would look to extend these “sittings” to two days a week. Last year, Moorabool Shire’s Home and Community Care (HACC) service delivery increased by more than 900 hours and, with the introduction of new programs, was recognised and rewarded by the federal Department of Health. The HACC program provides community-based care services to eligible frail-aged, and younger people with disabilities and their carers, enabling them to live independently in their home and community. Mr Croxford said the latest lift in funding would mean clients would no longer have to wait for up to 12 months for the home visit-assessment service. “We will continue to strive to provide excellent services by highly qualified staff to those who require our support,” Mr Croxford said. “We will be working alongside the
local health services and promoting our strong partnerships approach to allied health interventions, and we will be introducing new programs that address changes in clients’ needs,” he said. Mr Croxford said there would also be a dietitian on staff one day a week, and that there were plans to employ a physiotherapist one day a week to assist with nutritional requirements and mobility issues.
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It’s exciting to be able to add these extra health services
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- Rob Croxford More hours of vital services would also include an increase in community-based meal programs in Korweinguboora, Yendon, Glen Park, Mt Wallace and Elaine. “There has been wonderful work done by the staff in this department, ensuring some of our most vulnerable residents are receiving the support and dedicated care they require,” Mr Croxford said. “And, along with Meals on Wheels, respite and property maintenance, it’s exciting to be able to add these extra health services to the services council already offers,” he said. For the past five years, Moorabool shire’s aged and disability services has supported 650 to 750 clients a week, covering all areas in the shire. For more information on council services, visit www.moorabool.vic.gov. au.
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(Kristian Scott)
By Yasemin Talat
Calendar cash a pet subject The new year means new calendars for many walls – and a PETstock 2015 calendar can also mean new homes for homeless pets. PETstock Bacchus Marsh will donate 100 per cent of proceeds from its 2015 calendar sales to not-for-profit animal rescue organisation PetRescue. The money will help PetRescue provide support to rescue organsations and community foster care groups that save more than 6000 pets around the country every month. PetRescue founder Vickie Davy says there are thousands of dogs, cats, horses, chickens and even goats waiting for adoption. PETstock Bacchus Marsh customers – including Steph Reardon, pictured with her dog Marley – can also choose to make an additional donation to PETstock Assist when they buy a calendar. The calendars cost $2. For more information, visit www.PETstock.com.au or www.PetRescue.com.au. Yasemin Talat
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