By Matthew Sims
La Trobe MP Jason Wood has called on Federal Aged Care Minister Mark Butler to reinstate the level of funding provided to aged care respite centre Fernlea Community Care, after a recent reduction of $200,000 in federal funding.
First established in 2004, Fernlea Community Care began with day respite care at Fernlea House in Emerald before expanding to provide in-home care services in 2015, opening the op shop and expanding to a second location in Pakenham, supporting more than 800 locals across the Cardinia, Yarra Ranges and Dandenong areas over two decades of operation.
Mr Wood visited the Emerald centre on Tuesday 5 March to speak with clients and to pledge his support for the expansion of the not-for-profit and community-based organisation.
“Fernlea Community Care have been providing vital palliative care for families in the Hills since 2001,“ he said.
“Fernlea House is a local icon that provides a loving, caring place for families.
“Their staff and amazing volunteers always treat guests with dignity, love, and kindness.“
Chief executive officer Sarah Cole said Fernlea had faced a reduction of close to $200,000 in funding received via the Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP) program.
“One of the main reasons for this is that the needs of our clients have changed over time and they need more support in other areas that we are not given funding for,“ she said.
“For example, CHSP is designed to keep older people independently at home for longer.
“We have provided these people with centre based respite and flexible respite.“
Ms Cole said their clients needed a number of elements of support to live independently at home, including meals, transport and gardening support.
“We are able to provide these services but we are only granted funding for respite,“ she said.
“Unfortunately, the grant opportunities to apply for a funding variation are only offered periodically and we don’t know when that will be.
“This also disadvantages those people in the community because providers who are funded for these activities are located far away and refuse to drive to our area to provide it.“
Mr Cole said recent changes to the My Aged Care application process have also impacted their funding.
“It used to take months or years for our clients to move from being CHSP eligible to being provided a My Aged Care package,“ she said.
“It now takes weeks to a couple of months.
“Those clients we were caring for through CHSP funding have rolled over onto My Aged Care packages, reducing our direct funding and creating a financial gap that will take time to rectify and has left us in a dire situation.“
Ms Cole said while they have a waitlist for clients to attend the Emerald and Pakenham centres, they have limited capacity.
“Our centre provides interaction, companionship, nutrition and stimulation, all essential for the elderly population, particularly those living with life limiting illnesses.
“It’s equally important that we provide a much needed service for the carers of our clients.
“We give them a break, time to take care of their children and themselves, time to work and general time out from a highly stressful role which is 24/7 for many of them.“
Ms Cole said Fernlea provided an essential service to ageing residents across the South East.
“Fernlea offers a model of care which is unique and not provided by any other company in our region,“ she said.
“As our population ages, we are seeing a steady rise in demand.
“By increasing our capacity we would also be in a position to not be so reliant on CHSP funding.“
Mr Wood said Fernlea helped fill the need of families in the Dandenong Ranges, who were driving up to two hours each day to reach palliative care support.
“I have been a proud supporter of theirs ever since I entered Parliament and have been incredibly impressed by their growth over the years, now including a second location in Pakenham,“ he said.
“Back in 2004 I was able to secure $800,000 to help get Fernlea House off the ground.
“More recently, I also secured $7,500 for a new wheelchair ramp and shade sail at their Pakenham centre.“
Mr Wood said he would be advocating for the Federal Government to invest a further $500,000 to allow Fernlea to expand and improve their facilities.
“Despite the need for more funding than ever, the Albanese Government’s policies have left Fernlea with a $200,000 cut to their annual funding,“ he said.
“I will be taking up this shocking decision with the Aged Care Minister and calling on the government to reverse this cut and invest a further $500,000 to keep up with local demand.“
The Emerald centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and the Pakenham centre is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with hopes to expand the Pakenham centre’s operating hours.
