Denmark’s home care services crisis

There is a severe shortage of residential care services in Denmark, with one ratepayer representative saying the issue is driving older people from the town.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures have revealed Denmark residential care services are severely short of demand, with more than 1200 people aged 55 and over in town, but only enough facilities for 16 people.

Denmark Ratepayers and Residents Association president Beverly Ford said Denmark retirees often had to move to Albany or Perth to receive residential care services.

“We have 16 aged care beds in the hospital and we don’t have any dementia care in Denmark at all,” she said.

“If they’re lucky they might get a place in Albany — but if they aren’t then they have to go to Perth and leave all of their family and their support network groups, which could end up being very stressful for them.”

Residential aged care service Amaroo Village has been invited by the DRRA and the Shire of Denmark to look at the possibility of expanding its service in town.

Amaroo chief executive David Fenwick said his organisation was looking to build a residential care home to accommodate 40 seniors, subject to license approval from the Federal Government.

“Denmark is a rapidly growing retirement destination in the wider Great Southern Region,” he said.

“Within the region, there are currently 8015 people who are aged over 70 years.

“Meanwhile, there are only 471 residential aged-care places available in the region, with an additional 205 places allocated but not yet operational. “While there are a number of providers in the Great Southern Region, there is limited provision of service in Denmark, and Amaroo is in the establishment phase of providing this service.”

Mr Fenwick has been invited to attend the DRRA meeting next Wednesday to discuss the topic in detail.

For more information about the DRRA meeting, contact the Shire or visit the DRRA Facebook page.