$1.65M upgrade for dementia day care

Gosford Council will receive $1.65 million to upgrade the Dementia Day Care Centre in Woy Woy, according to Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal.

"This centre is part of a package of over $11 million dollars to build, extend or renovate HACC day care centres throughout NSW," Ms Neal said.

"The upgrading of the facility at Woy Woy will enable the local community to have a dementia-focused facility.

"The facility will provide a day care service and respite - a much-needed break to the carers of people with dementia in our local community," Ms Neal said.

Minister for Ageing Ms Justine Elliot said dementia was one of the major reasons for older people entering residential aged care or for seeking assistance from community care programs.

"The focus on dementia-specific facilities is a response to the increasing incidence of dementia associated with the ageing population," Ms Elliot said.

"There are more than 73,800 people with dementia in NSW - one third of the total number in Australia.

"By 2050, this number is expected to grow to more than 227,000 in NSW."

Funding for the project will be provided jointly through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program by the Australian Government and the NSW Government.

Services funded under HACC include domestic assistance, social support, nursing care, meals, respite, home maintenance and modifications and transport.

The HACC program assists the frail and aged, as well as people with a disability and their carers.

Press release, 29 Apr 2008 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson