Plan to keep older people close to family in search of funding
Kilkivan and District Community Care Association Incorporated started the community hub with in-home care and a transport service, but now wants to build interim accommodation for seniors transitioning from large properties who are not quite ready for an aged care facility.
The Kilkivan and District Community Care Association is lobbying for funding to build a pilot program that would allow seniors to remain in their homes longer. The region's seniors believe this project will solve aged care issues for rural and remote Australia. The association has begun reaching out to all levels of government for financial support for the initiative.
John Devereux, who is 90 years old, expressed his desire to stay in Kilkivan, stating, "I would hate to leave." The community is strongly supportive, with strong ties and a pleasant living environment. The community hub, initially established for in-home care and a transport service, aims to construct interim accommodation for seniors transitioning from larger properties who are not ready for an aged care facility.
The proposed five-bedroom, five-bathroom home would be rented to provide flexibility. This grassroots concept has garnered attention from the National Seniors Association, whose founder visited Kilkivan to commend the work. Experts agree that aging in place is beneficial from a social, health, and economic standpoint. However, the fragmented portfolios of aging, housing, and health care across various government levels have been a hindrance for the association.
The association is seeking better allocation of funds rather than additional resources. The 90-year-old Devereux is confident that the plan is a viable option for quality aged care, emphasizing the importance of bringing infrastructure to where the seniors are.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
