Federal funding adds 56 care places in Clarence Valley

A DOUGHERTY Villas resident said the service she received at her facility was fast and all the staff were friendly..

FOLLOW ME: Elsie McFarlane leads Member for Page Kevin Hogan around the Dougherty Villa aged care facility after he announced 56 more places, including 20 at Dougherty Villa. PHOTO: ADAM HOURIGAN

DOUGHERTY Villas resident Peggy Garland said the service she received at her facility was fast and all the staff were friendly, all she needed was more room to hang her dresses.

However, she said everyone needed access to the service she received.

"I think it is very essential that these beds are delivered, not just for us but the whole community," Mrs Garland said.

"We are all getting so much older so these new resources are not just for us."

Mrs Garland said she never would have dreamt she would reach 92, which is why it was important to plan ahead.

Clarence Village Ltd chairman Geoff Shepherd said the next step was getting a development approval for the new wing.

"To get the beds through the consent and construction process it will take two years," Mr Shepherd said.

"All the residents are becoming high care so they need lifting equipment to get out of bed and have a shower.

"It makes the place more viable for the future."

Mr Garland said this was the third time he tried to get funding for Dougherty Villas.

Member for Page Kevin Hogan said resources were going to big, national players so this year a group of National Party and Country Liberal members lobbied government to get resources to independent facilities.

"I am pleased that new aged care places will help meet the growing aged care needs of older Australians in Page," Mr Hogan said.

Aged Care Resources for Clarence Valley

• Page to receive 80 new aged care beds with 56 going to the Clarence Valley.
• Dougherty Villas will receive 20 and the Whiddon Group will receive 36 beds.
• The Federal Government spent $5.6 million on the initiative.
• 23% of the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers population is aged over 60, compared with the state average of 17%. This is forecast to rise to 31% by 2016.
• Research by RDA Northern Rivers

Originally published as Federal funding adds 56 care places in Clarence Valley