More aged care places in the South Burnett

'This funding will go a long way to making sure our seniors feel comfortable.'

Nanango-Karinya aged care has extended to 19 new places after recent funding. Picture: Bev Lacey

OLDER Nanango residents will have greater support with the Nanango-Karinya aged care residence receiving 19 new places.

Maranoa MP David Littleproud said this was due to $1.27 million secured through the Aged Care Approvals Round.

"Nanango-Karyina will use this funding to make sure more of our seniors and their loved ones don't have to go through the anguish of searching far and wide for a place,” he said.

"I think it's a tragedy when our seniors are forced to move away from family, friends and community - move away from everything they've ever known - to a larger town or city to receive care as their needs change.”

The alternative to expanding services is moving seniors into aged care facilities in larger towns and cities where they may not know people.

"Funding for this project goes a long way to making sure our seniors feel comfortable - satisfied with the residence and close to their family and friends,” Mr Littleproud said.

With almost 40 per cent of all new residential aged care places allocated to non-metropolitan areas, Nanango-Karinya is one of the many regional, rural and remote regions across Australia benefiting from the funding.

"The Coalition Federal Government's funding package for aged care residences goes some way to addressing that challenge and creating a chance for seniors to stay, hopefully, much closer to the base of loved ones and family,” he said.

Around $5.9 million has been secured by four aged care facilities across the Maranoa electorate through this round of ACAR funding.