At our Council meeting on 30 May 2022, we announced that the Australian Government has contracted mecwacare to deliver aged care services in Boroondara. This action aligns with the government’s introduction of a new Support at Home program to replace the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
The new program will include:
- domestic assistance (cleaning)
- personal care
- respite care
- property maintenance
- property modifications.
We completed the transition of CHSP services to mecwacare on 1 August 2022. During this process we provided the aged care provider with all the information required and enough time to roster services. Our aim was to make sure that each client’s individual needs would be understood and their services had minimal disruption.
Mecwacare starting recruiting carers and rostering staff when they were announced as the new provider, however, they have been experiencing significant staff shortages due to the recent wave of COVID-19 infections in Victoria. This is a similar experience to many other industry providers at this time.
Mecwacare has prioritised residents who need assistance with personal care and shopping. They are rostering their domestic assistance (cleaning) service where possible based on staff availability.
We are continuing to deliver local support services that are unique to Boroondara and to help reduce social isolation among older people, including our community transport service and social events.
