New facility ready by June
Upgrade of the former Woy Woy Meals on Wheels facility is expected to be completed in May, according to Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein.
The $1.6 million refurbishment of the building will cater for dementia day care, frail aged day care, food services, case management and other support services for older people.
Capital works include minor demolition, structural modifications and refurbishment of the Gosford Peninsula Day Care facility.
Cr Holstein said he was pleased work was expected to be completed ahead of schedule.
"During consultation with local service providers, a need was highlighted for the provision of dementia day care, particularly for people living on the Woy Woy Peninsula," Cr Holstein said.
"According to the Alzheimer's Association, the average rate of moderate to severe dementia in Australia is one in 15 over 65 years, one in nine for people aged between 80 to 84 and one in four for people aged over 85.
"As the concentration of older people in the Woy Woy Peninsula is higher than anywhere else in the state, it's easy to see why the upgrade of this facility is necessary.
"With the Federal Government and the NSW Department of Ageing and Home Care funding, the project and council providing the land, the partnership will create a top-class facility that will be of great benefit to our community, now and into the future."
Council's age and disability team leader Ms Robyn Howes said the new facility would allow its visitors to feel more valued in the community and create a nice and relaxing atmosphere to participate in.
"The facility will provide local people in need of aged care support services and the good news is they won't have to travel far to take advantage of this.
"We are very fortunate to have received the funding to see the former meals on wheels building put to good use."
Press release, 9 Feb 2009
Chris Holstein, Gosford Council
Clare Graham, 12 Feb 2009
Interviewee: Robyn Howes, Gosford Council