WEST Wimmera Shire Council has launched a new meal assistance program to run in conjunction with its Meals on Wheels service.
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People who are eligible for meal assistance can apply for meal voucher booklets, which can be redeemed at participating businesses and sporting groups.
Council community services team leader Jo Grant said the decision to implement the program was due to a decline in Meal on Wheels numbers.
“Probably all up throughout the shire we have maybe 20 to 30 people receiving the traditional Meals on Wheels service,” she said.
“With the decline in people receiving meals through traditional delivered meals program, the council is at risk of losing part of their funding to provide meals.
“We feel that providing an additional meals program to complement our existing meal service it a great way to increase the uptake of meals while giving individual’s choice around what, when and where they enjoy their meals."
Ms Grant said council’s current delivered meal program would stay the same.
“We will continue to provide meals to clients’ homes with the fantastic ongoing support of our many wonderful volunteers,” she said.
“Our delivered meals program could not run without the volunteers, and we would also like to recognise them and everything they do for our community. The existing delivered meals program is still a valuable service, and the meal vouchers will not replace this.
“For people with limited mobility or health conditions that make leaving the house difficult the delivered meals program is a way to provide them with nutritious meals and a visitor to have a chat.”
She said the new meal program aligned with the federal government’s Consumer Direct Care model, which gave recipients more flexibility and choice about the services they received.
“Clients no longer have to go with a particular provider just because they have an aged care package with them,” she said.
”It does provide them with a lot more flexibility about what they eat; they will have the chance to go get a really nutritious meal and be social too, rather than eat at home alone.”
She said people who had previously received or were currently receiving delivered meals, meals at social support groups or Senior Citizens groups would be eligible to receive a booklet of vouchers.
Participating businesses include Edenhope Apsley Saints Football Netball Club, Menzie’s Hotel, Edenhope Apsley Saints Football Netball Club, Edenhope Bakery, Edenhope Bowling Club, Edenhope Golf Club, Edenhope Take-away, Lake Wallace Hotel, King’s Katering, Harrow Balmoral Football Netball Club, Hermitage Hotel, Club Hotel Kaniva, Commercial Hotel Kaniva, Heartfelt Café, Kaniva Community Roadhouse, Kaniva Leeor United Football Club, Nikki and Jay’s Pizza Takeaway, Windmill Café, Charlie’s Diner and Apsley Action Group.
Ms Grant said the support from local businesses and sporting groups had been incredible.
“It reflects what a caring community we live in, with so many local businesses and sporting groups excited to provide an opportunity for a hearty feed and social interaction for our meal recipients,” she said.
All requests for new services must be made through the My Aged Care system.
“We understand that this new way of requesting services may be daunting to some people,” she said.
“The Community Services team at the West Wimmera Shire Council are more than happy to provide assistance and support for anyone wanting to access the My Aged Care system.
“The most important thing is that no one within our community misses out on assistance that can support them to remain in their own home safely and independently. We are happy to help people register and request the services they need.”
The shire has sent out more than 100 meal voucher booklets so far.
For more information, contact the council’s community services team on 5585 9900 or 5392 7700.