Human Services News - New wheelchairs for aged care facilities

Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia

June 2007

New wheelchairs for aged care facilities

A $630,000 funding boost will give frail aged care residents across Victoria access to high-quality wheelchairs.

Community Services Minister Gavin Jennings said 136 public sector high care nursing homes would share funding for up to 180 new wheelchairs.

‘These reclining tilt-chairs are flexible, robust and built for comfort.

‘They have a padded seat and support for the back, arms and head for extra comfort and safety.

‘The chairs will be a boon for frail older residents, helping them join in personal interests and activities such as gardening, outdoor exercise, wheelchair walks and bus trips.’

The chairs also complement the Government’s Count Us In! aged care project, that explores how to keep residents socially-involved locally.

Mr Jennings announced the funds at Caulfield General Medical Centre, which will receive four wheelchairs for its three nursing homes.

The chairs are also easy to move when occupied, enhancing staff occupational health and safety.

Mr Jennings said the $630,000 is on top of $8.6 million in Government funds previously provided to high care public sector residential services for equipment upgrades.

‘As a result of this investment, high quality electronic beds, lifting equipment and static pressure reduction mattresses are a key feature of facilities that service high dependency residents.

‘Upgrading equipment in residential aged care has a clear impact on physical care but it can also contribute to residents’ emotional wellbeing,’ Mr Jennings said.

Dot’s on the spot

Dot Dennis, 85, is a familiar face around Caulfield General Medical Centre.

Dot (above) has been working as a volunteer at the hospital for about 50 years.

Her volunteering began during the 1940s when she visited soldiers returned from World War Two.

Many were amputees, in hospital for rehabilitation.

Dot would talk to them, take them out for walks and for lunch.

‘They were beaut,’ Dot said.

For the last few years, she has been a volunteer with the hospital’s Helmsmen Kiosk Auxiliary, selling raffle tickets to raise money for the hospital.

The auxiliary has raised many thousands of dollars, helping to purchase pieces of hospital equipment over several years.

Dot is a recent resident of the Glen Eira unit of the Caulfield Hospital Nursing Home, where she met the Minister for Community Services Gavin Jennings when he announced the funding boost for high-quality wheelchairs.

Until recently, Dot lived independently, with a carer for support.

She uses a wheelchair these days—two years ago she fell off the roof while fixing it and damaged her knees.

Arthritis has kept her wheelchair bound, but she is often out and about, enjoying time with her many nieces and nephews and supporting the hospital.

State Government Victoria

Updated 5 June 2007

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