Federal grant to renovate rural Uniting home

A grant by the Federal Government will be used for a "much-needed" upgrade of a rural Uniting aged care home.

The grant of $530,000 will be used to significantly improve the quality of the environment and attractiveness for its residents.

It is one of the 76 infrastructure projects announced under the new Aged Care Capital Assistance Program – a $135m investment to improve access to aged care services for First Nations, rural, and remote communities.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the grants were to be used to create "home-like" environments and ensure older Australians felt safe.

"We want older people to feel at home, to be safe and have the support they deserve regardless of where they live," Ms Wells said.

"These grants are about creating more home-like environments for residents, giving them access to comfortable and modern amenities, more liveable spaces and less shared rooms.

"These capital grants ensure appropriate supports are in place for aged care providers to maintain the viability and sustainability of their operations, especially in areas of need."

Uniting's head of seniors services, Saviour Buhagiar, said the grant was very much welcomed.

"It will enable us to upgrade Uniting Taralga’s 23-bed aged care home and introduce our contemporary Household Model, which is featured in most of our other aged care homes," Mr Buhagiar said.

"The Household model will deliver significant improvements for our residents and also means the home will now align with the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines.

"The new design will vastly improve shared spaces which are so important to service delivery and quality of life."

Improvements to the home will include a bright and modern dining area, improved community space with tea and coffee facilities, better lighting, storage for games and activities, and a courtyard with new turf, outdoor furniture, paved paths, new plants, and shade spots.

Uniting took over the Taralga home in 2022 to ensure the service could continue operating and guarantee that needed aged care services for the local community would remain available.

"The closest alternative aged care homes are in Crookwell (40 minutes away) or Goulburn," Mr Buhagiar said.

"While the announcement of this grant is fantastic news for the residents and the local community of Taralga, Uniting has also committed to covering any additional costs associated with the upgrades earmarked for the home.

"We’re determined to create a sustainable aged care home for the community for many years to come."