Mayor Cr Edward Crossland said, “To make sure Yarra’s older residents get the best outcomes for their health and wellbeing under the new Federal model for aged care, Council is making changes to our home care services.”
“After significant community and client consultation and careful consideration, in response to the introduction of the Federal Government’s Support at Home Program (SAHP), Council will transition the remainder of its home care services to our trusted not-for-profit specialist provider over a period of 6-12 months.”
“Significant delays to the implementation of the Federal Government’s aged care reforms announced 8 years ago, have created a great amount of uncertainty for our aged care clients about the future of their care. With this decision, we are pleased to provide certainty to our aged care clients.”
“Yarra City Council’s home care services have been delivered under a unique hybrid model for 24 years. While some services are currently provided by Council staff in-house, the majority are delivered by a trusted and long-term contracted service provider, Mercy Health.”
“Currently, Mercy Health delivers the majority of home care services to more than 225 clients with the remaining 137 clients serviced by Council staff.”
“At Yarra, our home care services include mainly assistance with cleaning and household chores, as well as showering and dressing for a small number of clients and respite for carers. Council staff almost exclusively provide entry-level care like cleaning on an average of once a fortnight, with the higher needs care provided by Mercy Health.”
“The 137 clients, who on average receive a cleaning service from Council staff once a fortnight, will begin to receive that service from our long-term, not-for-profit specialist provider. This means as their needs escalate, they can receive higher levels of care and continuity from the one provider.”
“We are confident that our aged care clients will receive the highest quality of care from our trusted provider. One of Victoria’s largest health and aged care not-for-profits, they have provided services to Yarra clients for many years and consistently receive excellent feedback from clients and across the sector.”
“Retaining our existing provider throughout the transition will ensure our aged care clients continue to receive high-quality care with minimal disruption. It also ensures that as clients’ needs escalate, Mercy Health, our specialist provider, can deliver the continuity of care required, through higher levels of care including home care packages, community nursing, allied health and residential aged care.”
“Our priority is making sure our impacted aged care clients have the support they need through the transition. Council will work with each aged care client individually and their families and carers to ensure they are fully supported and getting the care they need over the next 6-12 months.”
“Since the Federal aged care reforms were announced, Council has undertaken significant client and community engagement on aged care services to understand the needs, experiences and opinions of Yarra’s older residents and the broader community.”
“We want to make sure we invest in aged care services and programs where we can have the most impact and where there are gaps that need to be addressed. This change in service delivery will allow Yarra to focus on programs for older people which enhance community connections and promote social inclusion.”
“Council is committed to growing and developing our community-based services for older residents including community meals, social support programs, and community transport and supporting an age-friendly, inclusive, and accessible Yarra.”
