Aged caring gets a boost

THE State Government has officially announced details of the new 100-bed residential aged-care facility in Doveton.
On Tuesday, Minister for Aged Care, Gavin Jennings inspected the site on Chestnut Road in Doveton, with Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos.
Mr Jennings also discussed architect’s plans for the site with Southern Health and local health department officials.
He said the $34.5 million development would improve the spread of public beds in the south east of Melbourne.
“There are currently no public residential aged-care beds in the region further south-east than Cheltenham,” he said.
“The 100 beds will be relocated from the Kingston Centre in Cheltenham and will help meet the needs of aged residents in the south east of Melbourne.”
Mr Pandazopoulos said the City of Casey would have almost three times as many people aged over 75 by 2026.
“Casey has 7800 seniors aged 75 and over. This number will increase to 20,000 within 20 years. It makes sense to put resources into the suburbs where the needs are,” he said.
Construction of the Doveton project will start next year and the centre will be designed to meet new Commonwealth certification standards that will apply from 2008.