City to pull out of most ageing service

SERVICES provided to seniors in the City of Ballarat’s are going to change.

From July next year, the municipality is set to pull out of most aged care service provision, moving to what it calls an ‘Ageing Well’ model that will aim to provide things like transport and social support for the region’s older demographic.

However, many of the in-home services, like maintenance and meals on wheels will end.

By mid-2024, the municipality’ Regional Assessment Service will also cease.

The move came at council’s November meeting as municipalities across the country seeks opt out of the Federal Government’s Commonwealth Home Support Program.

Mayor Cr Des Hudson said the program’s new home support model is unsuitable for local governments.

“Local Government does need to transition out of this service. It is not moving in the direction that is set up for local government to sustain with boundaries and funding,” he said.

“The important work in connectivity and wellbeing is where we are far better equipped to support our ageing community and that is what we can establish and strengthen in the coming months while we transition other services to external providers.”

Those receiving services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program will be transitioned to new providers while the City’s Ageing Well team will undergo a reshuffle.

The $1.2 million cost of providing the Commonwealth Home Support Program will be reallocated towards delivering the Ageing Well service model, which will be available to with residents aged 55 and older.

City of Ballarat CEO, Evan King said the Ageing Well team has done good work.

“Since starting as CEO with the City of Ballarat I have seen the Ageing Well team work through an incredibly disruptive couple of years,” he said.

“These changes to reform are about ensuring we meet the needs, aspirations and priorities of our older residents and our entire community.”