The Gladstone Community Linking Agency (GCLA) has recently received additional funding from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) to enhance aged care services in the Gladstone Region.
This funding aims to address the increasing demand for aged care and respite support in the area. GCLA will utilise the funding to provide a range of services, including CHSP overnight Cottage Respite (at the Port Curtis RnR Centre), Flexible in-home Respite, Nursing, and Allied Health Therapy services in the Fitzroy Aged Care Planning Region in Queensland.
The Government has also granted one-time funding to support some refurbishment of the Port Curtis RnR Centre. This will include setting up a demonstration package of the new GCLA Care at Home Smart Home Assistive Technology Alarms.
GCLA’s Chief Executive Officer, Jenni Marsh, said the funding would allow GCLA to better support people to age well in the region.
She said the investment would allow GCLA to expand its aged care services and establish clinical and allied health services.
Ms Marsh said the primary objective was to enable seniors to maintain, or regain, their independence and continue living in their own homes, longer.
“Broadening the scope of our Aged Care services will help support our customers as their needs change,” she said.
“We are passionate about supporting carers to continue in their caring role for longer, frequent planned respite achieves this, with the nearest like service located in Hervey Bay.”
The overnight Cottage Respite service is scheduled to launch on 1 July 2023.
Ms Marsh said this addition is particularly significant as there is a high demand for this type of respite in the local community.
She said GCLA, as the only true local not-for-profit provider of Disability and Aged Care services in the Gladstone Region since 1977, is committed to supporting carers and ensuring they can continue their caring role for longer through planned respite services.
The Port Curtis Respite Centre currently operates from Tuesday to Friday, providing seniors aged 65 and above with a welcoming and inclusive environment where they can participate in social and recreational activities and enjoy delicious meals. Additionally, GCLA offers Home Care Packages to individuals residing in Gladstone, Turkey Beach, Miriam Vale, Biloela and Agnes Water.
Ms Marsh said the allocation of additional funding will complement existing Aged Care services offered by GCLA, which will support continuity of care as people may transition to receive a Home Care Package, clinical nursing and allied health services with GCLA.
“This holistic approach aims to support seniors to gain timely access to service, foster their well-being, and enable them to age at home,” she said.
Ms Marsh expressed her enthusiasm for the grant, emphasising how it would allow timely access to local clinicians through the rollout of nursing and allied health services and provide a connection to Aged Care services.
To further enhance their services, GCLA is actively exploring local sponsorship opportunities to acquire three hybrid vehicles to assist with transport to and from the respite centre and to support the new mobile community nursing and allied health service.
As the funding received only goes so far, there is also opportunities to sponsor a room, including bedrooms, dining and lounge rooms.
For more information about the service contact GCLA at 42728855, or contact Jenni directly to hear more about sponsorship opportunities, noting involvement with GCLA can support industry in meeting their ESG targets, locally.
