Aged care services in the ‘greying’ Northern Rivers will receive a funding boost of more than $3.6 million in ongoing funding, the Federal MP for Page Kevin Hogan has announced.

Around $2.7 million of the money will provide an additional 77 Aged Home Care places, with a further $900,000 for 14 new Residential Age Care beds. The need in the Northern Rivers is high, with 23% of population aged over 60 years. The NSW average is 17%.

St Michaels in Casino will get an extra 15 home care places, Ballina-based Integrated Living will get an additional 15 Aged care Beds, while St Andrews, also in Ballina, will get 32 new Home Care places and 2 residential care places.

Crowley Retirement Village will also get 15 extra Home Care places. In the Clarence Valley, the Whiddon Group will get an additional 12 Aged Care residential places.

“This ongoing funding will help meet demand for quality aged care services in the Northern Rivers and have the additional benefit of creating more jobs in the sector,” Mr Hogan said.

“The Government believes older Australians want and deserve to have the support and care they need to live active and healthy lives, and to continue to choose the aged care services they need,” Mr Hogan said.

“The new ongoing Home Care places will help older Australians remain living in their own home for as long as possible.”

He said the new funding was on top of an increase of more than $5.6 million of ongoing funding that he had already secured for Aged Care beds and places across the Northern Rivers.