Attendees listen and speak at aged care workshops around region

The need for more aged care options in Boddington so people can stay in their community was the consensus, following three community workshops last week.

Run by Verso Consulting, a company founded more than two decades ago that specialises in aged care accommodation, the workshops were held in Wandering, Boddington and Williams.

Shire of Boddington chief executive Julie Burton said they were a chance to inform and listen.

“These workshops were designed to both inform and provide an opportunity for the sharing of stories and experiences in relation to the provision of aged care services, particularly residential aged care services in the immediate area,” she said.

The workshops were hosted by Verso managing director Doug Faircloth, Wendy Newman from the Wheatbelt Development Commission, and Shire of Boddington project manager Juliet Grist.

Feedback from the workshops will be combined with research into the financial and licence implications of aged care accommodation.

“The data collated by Verso so far confirms the view of workshop participants that there is a need for more residential places within the Boddington area,” Ms Burton said.

“Views expressed at the Boddington workshop confirmed that our vulnerable elderly are presently leaving not only the town but usually the region in order to access higher levels of care when their needs increase.

“(This is) to the detriment of the community, family life and their own sense of connection.

“The ultimate goal of the Shire of Boddington focus in this area is to identify — and then progress — an appropriate sustainable aged care accommodation facility.

“This will provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week care to vulnerable aged residents in the shire of Boddington, and those in reasonable proximity, so that these valued community members can stay part of the community as their care needs increase.” The Verso report is expected to be completed by the end of the year.