First steps to aged care exit

A SIX-FIGURE job is being offered as Loddon Shire Council prepares to exit the aged care services space from July.

Council has looked outside the shire to advertise for an aged care navigation coordinator with a salary up to $106,000 for the two-year position.

It says the position will “co-ordinate and support the community care team to transition clients to new service providers”.

Councillors last November voted to stop delivering home support program services, home and community care program for younger people services and veterans’ home care services.

The Loddon move followed other councils in country Victoria opting out of home services after Federal Government reforms to in-home aged care services.

“Council would not be able to effectively operate under the new in-home aged care program without significant investment in and changes to its operating model and reduction in operating costs,” wellbeing director Wendy Gladman told councillors.

Council also decided that “all processes and matters related to the transition process will remain confidential until the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments provide consent for release of information”.

No announcements have been made on transition or replacement service providers in Loddon Shire.