ANAM CARA HOUSE GEELONG RECEIVES $1.1M TO SUPPORT PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESSES, FAMILIES AND CARERS

– VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT END-OF-LIFE CARE ANCILLARY SERVICE GRANT

Geelong-based end-of-life care and hospice service provider Anam Cara House Geelong has received $1.1 Million from the Andrews Labor Government to provide greater support for people diagnosed with a life limiting illness.

According to Anam Cara House Geelong Chair Diana Taylor, the grant will enable the not-for-profit organisation to significantly expand its services in the region through community outreach and capacity building – enabling people to stay at home for longer. Anam Cara provides support services in a home like environment for people from Geelong and the region who have been diagnosed with chronic and life-limiting illnesses. This support also extends to families and carers.

With this new funding, our day hospice program will now be expanded from two days a week to five days a week, including one day on a weekend. The grant will also support our community outreach program. This grant means that not only will more people be cared for by Anam Cara and supported in their homes for longer, but it will enable us to sustainably plan for our long-term future, Ms Taylor said. Anam Cara is a community-funded, fully accredited, non-denominational organisation supporting people with chronic and life-limiting illness, their carers and families.

Established over 10 years ago, Anam Cara is the only specialised hospice facility in the Geelong region to integrate hospice, respite and end-of-life care in a home-like environment with an emphasis on holistic care. Included within this care framework is volunteer support, complementary therapies and knowledge sharing with staff, carers and guests.

On behalf of Anam Cara House Geelong’s board, staff and volunteers, I wish to thank the Minister for Health Jill Hennessy, the Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and the Department of Health and Human Services for their support over many years and for this significant grant to support and expand our provision of care. The collective belief and dedication in providing greater support to carers and families of people diagnosed with a life limiting illness, and providing increased consumer choice in end-of-life care, has been paramount to today’s announcement, Ms Taylor said.

For more information about Anam Cara House Geelong visit www.achg.org.au or call 03 5222 5831.

Media contact: Alana Whitten; a.whitten@achg.org.au