The Commonwealth Government has appointed MiCare, mecwacare and Uniting AgeWell to deliver home and community care to the City of Casey's residents in response to Commonwealth Aged and Disability funding reforms.
Following a service review which provided the opportunity for Council to examine the likely impact of these reforms, the priorities of Casey's aged residents and those living with a disability, and the role Council can play in delivering an age and disability-friendly city in future, Council determined to begin the process to transition out of these services on set dates agreed with the Commonwealth and State governments.
MiCare and mecwacare will be delivering In-Home Services consisting of Personal Care, Domestic Assistance, Respite Care, Shopping Assistance, Social Support, Home Maintenance and Modifications to residents living in the northern suburbs of Casey from 1 July 2022. Residents living in the southern suburbs of Casey will be transferred to Uniting AgeWell by 1 September 2022.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM welcomed the appointment of these providers who will continue providing care for vulnerable residents as part of Council's long-term strategy for enhancing access to liveability and wellbeing in Casey for all ages, abilities and means.
"We look forward to working with our new providers to continue delivering Casey residents the service they have been receiving and affirming the values of Victoria's age-friendly Victoria declaration. These new arrangements will inform Council's strategy for Casey's most vulnerable residents to living and ageing well, when choosing access to aged and disability care services and making informed decisions for how Council supports them.
"The City of Casey will continue to deliver Meals, Community Transport and Volunteer Transport services through our dedicated volunteer workforce. Our volunteers have always delivered these services, and they all play a very important role in helping us support the wellbeing and independence of our clients," Ms Duff said.
Uniting AgeWell CEO Andrew Kinnersly said they were very pleased to be able to support the residents of Casey and build on the organisation's commitment to providing outstanding service and a continuum of care to communities across the region.
"Uniting AgeWell's focus is on helping older people to live well with choice and peace of mind. We are absolutely committed to providing service continuity and quality of care to the seniors currently receiving these services through the Council, and ensuring they receive the support and care they need to continue living independently and ageing well at home," Mr Kinnersly said.
Ms Petra Neeleman, Executive Director of MiCare added that MiCare was very pleased to be further expanding services to the City of Casey.
"MiCare supports many elders in their homes and believes that relationships with their home carer is one of the most important and fundamental aspects of quality of care and positive ageing," Ms Neeleman said.
Mecwacare Chief Executive Michele Lewis said she was delighted by the Commonwealth's decision to place their trust in the organisation to deliver vital home care services to the local community.
"Mecwacare has a long-standing record of partnering with and supporting older people and people living with disabilities in the Casey community. We are proud of the positive feedback we receive from local residents and their families. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to expand on our relationships with, and support for, the Casey community," Ms Lewis said.
Current clients of in-home services have been contacted about their new providers. Council staff who currently deliver the services will continue to do so until 30 June to residents living in the northern suburbs of Casey and until 31 August to residents living in the southern suburbs of Casey. Council will continue to deliver services to Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) clients who are under 65 and under 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, until State-appointed providers commence from 1 October 2022.
