Federal funding boost for home delivered meals
The Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt has announced an additional $8 million in funding for 232 meals providers through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
The Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt has announced an additional $8 million in funding for 232 meals providers through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Mr Wyatt said the funding would be allocated in “a more equitable way” to address historical differences in funding across the country.
“I have listened to the aged care sector and we all agree it’s important that a reliable, quality meal service for older Australians will help ensure they stay strong and connected to their community,” Minister Wyatt said on Friday.
The Australian Meals on Wheels Association has been calling on the Federal Government to address the funding inequity facing consumers of home delivered meals compared to other services under the home support program.
The Federal Government currently provides $65 million to more than 560 meals providers through the CHSP.
Mr Wyatt said the Department of Health would be contacting affected providers over the next few weeks.
He said further work to support CHSP meals providers would be considered in line with future reforms to aged care.
This is great news for Meals on Wheels, the welcomed addition to funding for home delivered meal services is severely lacking, with costs stretching margins to the limits.
Soooo… currently providers get about $3.70 to cover the cost of preparing and the delivering a meal. An extra $8mill will get this up to ~$4.16 (assuming the same number of meals and that all the funds are directly totally to meals).
With nutrition being a such a crucial driver of a person’s overall health, this still seems inadequate to me. Investing in better quality meals will help keep people in their homes for longer.
“Good nutrition promotes health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by averting malnutrition, preventing dietary deficiency disease and promoting optimal functioning. “