Dementia day care centre opens

A new $1.65 million dementia day care centre to provide respite to carers of people living with dementia has opened in Woy Woy.

The Yaringaa Centre officially opened on September 28, in the old Woy Woy Meals on Wheels building at the corner of Ocean Beach Rd and Macmasters Rd.

More than 50 centre staff, community members and government representatives attended the official opening including Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Mr Paul Lynch, Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal, Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews and Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein.

The project was jointly funded by the Federal and State governments with council contributing the land and building.

Cr Holstein said the new service was a welcome addition to the Peninsula given alarming statistics on dementia in the area.

"The need for this facility is paramount especially when we are talking 28 per cent of people on the Peninsula over the age of 65 live with dementia," Cr Holstein said.

"This is compared to a national average of 14 per cent.

"To have all levels of government working together on this issue is imperative to the community considering dementia takes out $1 out of every $40 in our health care budget.

"The service will no doubt provide tremendous support to family and friends of dementia sufferers on the Peninsula."

The Yaringaa centre will be shared by Community Care Services Central Coast, the Peninsula Community Centre and Gosford City Food Services to provide services such as Meals on Wheels to elderly people on the Central Coast.

Mr Lynch said: "Dementia day care centres are one way we are responding to the challenges of an ageing population.

"These centres provide outings, day trips, support, nursing and allied health services to people with dementia and their carers."

Ms Neal, representing the Federal Minister for Ageing Ms Justine Elliot, said older Australians wanted to remain independent and in their own homes and communities.

"Without Home and Community Care services, many people would have to move prematurely into residential care," Ms Neal said.

"This new dementia day care centre is an example of the concrete steps that the Australian and NSW governments are taking to meet the needs of our ageing population."

Clare Graham, 28 Sep 2009 Interviewee: Cr Chris Holstein, Gosford mayor Press release, 28 Sep 2009 Paul Lynch, Minister for Ageing and Disability Services