Better access to respite services for older carers

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, today announced the successful non-government organisations which will deliver services under the $51 million New Respite for Older Carers of Children with Disabilities Program.

Mr Brough said the three year funding would provide better access to respite services for more than 2,600 older carers of children with disability.

“We had an excellent response to our call for applications and I am pleased to announce that 135 proposals from 69 different organisations across Australia were successful,” Mr Brough said.

The Howard Government values and recognises the vital role that carers play in our society and, since coming to office, has provided a significant boost to funding support for carers.

“Today’s announcement forms an integral part of the landmark $1.8 billion Disability Assistance Package announced on 28 June 2007.

“In that package $962 million was provided over five years to give practical support and peace of mind for older carers and their families.

“Many of these older carers have been caring for a son or daughter with a profound or severe disability for many years, and are now ageing themselves. They have expressed concern about what will happen to their children when they are no longer able to provide care and the Howard Government will continue to assist these people.

“The funding for respite services will be used to support delivery of the Respite for Older Carers of Children with a Disability Program, which addresses the needs of older carers with adult children with disability who they are caring for.

“Successful applicants will cover 52 Health and Community Care Regions of Australia. Existing respite providers will also be directly approached to provide services where there are gaps in services in particular areas.

“This funding will create additional in-home and centre-based respite services, including both planned and emergency support situations, to further support older parent carers to continue their caring role.

“Carers need to be able to sustain their ongoing care responsibilities and take a short term break from their caring role, and need support to find time and space to focus on other commitments or personal needs.

“This new funding will certainly go a long way towards improving access to respite services for carers in different regions across Australia.

“The Howard Government will continue to support carers of dependant people at home, and we will tailor this support to meet the needs of care recipients and their families.

“The Government has also provided a substantial amount in direct payments to carers including bonuses of more than $2.7 billion in 2006-07 and a doubling of Carer Payment and Carer Allowance recipients since 2000,” Mr Brough said.

In recognition of the difficulties experienced by people who provide care at home to dependent family members and friends, the Government has greatly increased the level of assistance available to carers. For example, funding for the National Respite for Carers Program has been increased from $19 million in 1996-97 to an estimated $185 million in 2007-08. This additional funding has enabled the expansion of services to assist carers.

The Howard Government has also directed a growing level of funding towards the availability of respite in aged care homes. The funding enables Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres to directly reserve and purchase additional residential respite places on behalf of carers. Centres are able to use innovative and flexible approaches to assist carers with high needs, and those for whom they care, to find appropriate residential respite options.

Support for carers also includes $112 million in 2006-07 in subsidies for residential respite bed days in aged care homes. Just over 1,000,000 bed days annually are used for respite stays in aged care homes.

All of these initiatives are examples of the Howard Government’s support for carers and its recognition of the enormous responsibility that carers in our society have to bear.

The Respite for Older Carers of Children with a Disability Program supports parents aged 60 years and over, and their children aged 25 years and over.

Successful applicants under the Respite for Older Carers of Children with Disability Program