The Federal Government has delivered upgrades for Melaleuca Home for the Aged in East Devonport.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck, in his first visit as Minister, said following the completion of the $428,863 upgrade Melaleuca would be able to provide an even higher standard of care for local residents.
“The Government is supporting regional aged care providers to deliver even more choice and quality when it comes to caring for senior Australians.
“These upgrades include the conversion of shared rooms into private rooms with ensuites, which will ensure the space is more functional for providing high-level clinical care with appropriate privacy.
“Melaleuca was built more than 30 years ago with the extraordinary generosity and support of the local community and it is important that we continue to invest in these facilities to ensure they meet modern standards of quality and privacy.”
The upgrades include two out-dated shared rooms which through the grant have been converted to three single rooms with an ensuite. To meet current demand some storage areas and a shared bathroom have been converted into one single room with an ensuite. A toilet off a lounge has been converted into an ensuite for a room that currently shares a bathroom with another residential room, to improve the privacy and dignity of the two residents who occupy these rooms.
In his first act since the declaration of the poll, new Liberal Member for Braddon Gavin Pearce visited Melaleuca and said that the upgrades would be a welcome boost for the local community.
“Health is one of my main priorities and ensuring our loved ones receive high quality care in their later life is very important for our community.
“It is vital that we ensure dignity for all senior Australians, particularly when they require a high level of care like many residents at Melaleuca.
“Being able to provide that standard of care in the local area also means that families are able to remain close to their loved ones and personal support networks.”
The funding for the grant is part of the Government’s $5 million Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grants Scheme announced in the 2018-19 Budget, which is dedicated to upgrading aged care infrastructure to improve the quality and accessibility of aged care services in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Source: Australian Government