Page 4121 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 13 December 2006
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I also thank Dr Foskey for her contribution to the debate. I was not quite sure where she was going with it. I think she missed an opportunity to contribute positively to this debate. I think that is a real missed opportunity by Dr Foskey. I thank everyone for their contributions.
Motion agreed to.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Hargreaves) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Handy Help ACT
MR MULCAHY (Molonglo) (5.57): This afternoon I would like to inform the Assembly about the wonderful work undertaken by Handy Help ACT. In my role as opposition spokesman on matters for the aging I recently sought a briefing with Handy Help ACT. I am sure that other members are familiar with its work, but it was valuable for me to learn more about this non-profit organisation that is committed to helping frail, aged and younger people with disabilities and their carers maintain their independence.
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Mr Ken Day of Handy Help and he briefed me on the hard work that is undertaken by this organisation. Handy Help assists these people in maintaining their independence by providing help around the house, enabling them to continue living at home rather than being forced into an institution such as a retirement home or a hospital. As I remarked in my meeting with him, I think his services will become even more crucial as our community ages and there is insufficient institutional or retirement home care for those needing support services in their later years.
For that reason Handy Help fulfils a vital role and I believe it will continue to fulfil an increasingly important role in years to come. The demographics of Australia are changing as the baby boomer generation moves toward retirement, and increasingly more pressure is placed on traditional nursing homes. Handy Help is a superb example of how we can find intelligent solutions to the growing challenges of an aging population. The organisation gives older people the freedom to keep living at home while receiving assistance with household chores. It increases their quality of life while reducing the pressure on nursing homes.
Handy Help provides four different in-home support services: volunteer home and yard maintenance, contract home and yard maintenance, lawn mowing and home modifications. Handy Help uses volunteers to provide much of its home and maintenance service, and these volunteers work hard to enhance the security and safety of a client’s home by performing jobs such as mending fly screens and replacing light globes. Handy Help also uses tradespeople for work that requires qualified skills such as plumbing and electrical work. These contractors perform a
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