18 January 2010
 
MORE THAN $157,000 FOR CARERS SERVICES IN TASMANIA
 
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot and Senator Helen Polley announced on Friday more than $157,000 in one-off funding grants for support services that provide respite for carers across Tasmania.
 
The funding is part of the Rudd Government’s commitment to carers through the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) which this year will provide more than $200 million to respite services and programs in Australia.
 
Respite services provide valuable time-out for people who care for their friends or family members with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
 
Minister Elliot said: “Carers across this nation play an important role in Australian society. They dedicate so much to improve the quality of the lives of our nation’s elderly and for people with disabilities”.
 
Almost 2.6 million Australians provide care for family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Of these about 500,000 are primary carers – the people who provide the majority of the care.
 
Senator Polley said: “This funding is about helping those at the community level.
 
“Caring for someone full time is physically and emotionally demanding and carers need to be able to take deserved breaks.
 
“Respite can allow carers to go to work for a few hours, go to the shops or socialise with friends.
 
“This funding will help important local services continue to meet the needs of carers in our community,” Senator Polley said.
 
For information about respite in your area please call Carelink on 1800 052 222 or for emergency respite outside of business hours on 1800 059 059.
 
Media contact: Sancia Colgrave 0438 003 328