In a joint initiative, the NSW and federal governments have announced that a $1.5 million dementia day care centre will be built in Belmont.
The centre will be built by the East Lake Macquarie Dementia Service in the grounds of the Belmont Hospital.
The Commonwealth will contribute $900,000 and NSW will put $600,000 towards the project under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
“We are constantly reminded that as people age they want to remain independent and in their own homes and communities,” said Commonwealth Ageing Minister, Justine Elliot.
“Without Home and Community Care services, many people would have to move prematurely into residential care.”
The Belmont facility will be the 14th of 16 new purpose-built, dementia-specific day care centres to be throughout NSW.
“In 2006 there were more than 73,000 people in New South Wales living with dementia and in by 2050 this number will increase to an estimated 227,000,” said Paul Lynch, the NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services.
“Dementia day care centres are one way we are responding to the challenges of an ageing population.”
It is expected that construction of the facility will generate up to eight full time jobs in the local area.
