Budget delivers $5 billion aged care boost

THE Morrison Government’s $5 billion aged care budget boost will deliver significant benefits for Corangamite, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt said.

Addressing an aged care forum with Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson last week, Minister Wyatt said the 2018-19 Budget increased home and residential care options and provided more choice and certainty for local older Australians and their families.

“Our government is planning for tomorrow, by investing record funding in a system that will support Australians as they age and empower them to live their lives the way they want to,” Mr Wyatt said.

“Aged care funding is up, home care packages are up and residential aged care is up. While the recently announced Royal Commission into the aged care sector goes about its important work, senior Australians and their families can rest assured that our record aged care funding and reform program will continue at full speed.”

Ms Henderson said the government was building on its strong record of support for aged care services in Corangamite.

“Our government invested $119.9 million in Corangamite aged care services in 2017-18, including in excess of $108.7 million for residential aged care, $5.6 million for home care and $5.6 million on the local Commonwealth Home Support Program.”

As of June 30, there were 24 residential aged care services with 2,029 places in Corangamite.