Funding boost of $3.5 million helps older parent carers

Older parent carers of people with a disability will benefit from improved respite care support thanks to Queensland Government funding of almost $3.5 million.

Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said $3.497 million had been allocated to 16 respite care providers operating 19 services throughout Queensland.

“This latest funding allocation recognises the vitally important role that older parent carers, and those in parent-like roles, play in caring for their family member who has a disability,” Mr Pitt said.

“This funding will pay for a project officer and for services to provide extra respite support to older parent carers.

“Project officers will be employed in 16 different locations. They will work closely with communities and determine the specific level of need and support required by older parent carers in their area.” (See attached list of recipients.)

Parent carers aged 70 years and over will be given priority to receive respite of up to four weeks a year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parent carers aged 50 years and over also will be eligible.

Older parent carers requiring hospitalisation will also be eligible for up to two weeks respite a year.

“The Queensland Government understands the importance of respite and family support services to families and is committed to improving and increasing these services”, Mr Pitt said.

“This funding will help alleviate some of the burden and pressure experienced by older parent carers who have spent a lifetime caring for their loved ones with a disability.”

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280

Respite service providers receiving funding:

Life Without Barriers (Brisbane South) $219,000
Life Without Barriers (Brisbane North) $219,000
Life Without Barriers (Brisbane West) $219,000
FSG Australia (Gold Coast) $405,650
Sunshine Coast Family Networks Association (Maroochydore) $192,335
Sunshine Coast Family Networks Association (Gympie) $192,335
ALARA Association (Ipswich) $388,170
Breakaway Toowoomba $138,860
Anglicare – Enable Lifestyle Support Roma $138,860
Fraser Coast Family Networks $138,860
Burnett Respite Services $138,860
Endeavour Foundation – Older Carers Respite Project (Gladstone) $138,866
Central Highlands and Western Qld Family Support Association $138,866
Capricornia Respite Care Association $138,866
Cootharinga Society of North Queensland (Mackay) $138,876
Bowen Flexi Care $138,876
Cootharinga Society of North Queensland (Townsville) $134,000
ARC Disability Services – ARC Flexi Respite Service (Cairns) $138,860
Endeavour Foundation – Respite Service (Innisfail) $138,860

Total $3,497,000