Waroona seniors can now stay comfortable when needing aged care services as home care service opens

Waroona seniors will no longer need to leave their homes, pets, and partners to receive vital services thanks to a new program introduced by the Waroona Community Resource Centre.

The Waroona CRC in now the 43rd agency in WA to be approved to operate as an aged care coordinator for the Staying in Place Program, working with Services Australia, InCASA Country and Mable to keep seniors at home when needing aged care service.

Waroona CRC manager Stuart Macdonald said the program started in Pingelly last year and has already shown phenomenal success around WA.

“It will be nothing but beneficial for seniors and the community,” he said.

“This program is about creating the opportunity for aged care residents having the choice to remain living at home, in the community they love and identify with, among family and neighbours that look out for them with access to the services.”

Mr Macdonald said seniors will no longer have to worry about having to leave their homes as they age and need additional care.

“Staying in Place is not so much about the physical buildings,” he said.

“It is more about building on existing infrastructure and services to better utilise them and the existing networks of informational connections within our own community.”

The services will assist people who just need occasional welfare checks all the way to those in hospice care.

According to Mr Macdonald, their service was more than medical.

He said because the program is running from within the community, they will be able to help with the needs seniors may have — be it maintenance, cleaning, or medical help.

“It’s just a beautiful program,” Mr Macdonald said.

“This project will enable elderly residents living in the Waroona shire to enjoy an enriched quality of life and remain in their own home.”

The service is already operational through the CRC’s family support services branch.