One of the key changes Yarra must respond to is the introduction of the Federal Government's Support at Home Program (SAHP), which will replace the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Yarra City Council's home care services have been delivered under a unique hybrid model for 24 years. While some services are currently provided by Council staff in-house, the majority are delivered by a trusted and long-term contracted service provider, Mercy Health.
Currently, Mercy Health delivers the majority of home care services to more than 225 clients with the remaining 137 clients serviced by Council staff.
At Yarra, our home care services include mainly assistance with cleaning and household chores, as well as showering and dressing for a small number of clients and respite for carers.
Council will consider transitioning our remaining home care services to our current trusted provider over a period of 6-12 months at the 12 March 2024 Council Meeting.
This proposal follows significant client and community engagement on aged care services. These engagements have been ongoing since 2016 and have given Council a strong understanding of the needs, experiences and opinions of our aged care clients and Yarra's older residents.
We are proud of our efforts to ensure that Yarra is a place where everyone can age well and be active in the community. Guided by Council's Active Healthy Ageing Strategy and Action Plan, Council offers a range of programs and initiatives dedicated to supporting older people to stay active, healthy and connected in the community.
This includes that older people have good access to social programs, physical and recreational activities, health services, community centres and neighbourhood houses, feel safe when out and about and can participate in learning opportunities.
