Emerald community call on Federal Government to fill the gap in aged care bed shortfall

Aged care advocates and community leaders are concerned for local families who require aged care services for their loved ones, as the township of Emerald faces a current 20 bed shortfall.

Member of Ageing Central Highlands Blake Repine said that while there was a current shortfall of 20 beds, the Emerald community was facing a shortfall of 50 to 60 beds.

"[That shortfall] is probably within the next five to 10 years, or even sooner," Mr Repine said.

"Recognising that need, a number of community leaders have come together... because we want to solve this problem for our community.

"We want people to be able to age in place, age where they've grown up, to age where their families are, and to have those support systems around.

"As families get to that age group where they need that higher level of aged care, they have to move out of the region, normally to the coast, or the southeast corner of the State."

Sharing the frustration is long-time Emerald community leader Myra Stanton.

Ms Stanton said that she was lucky that her mum could come to Emerald where she could visit her, but also acknowledged that other families weren't so fortunate.

"Often people have grown up in these towns and then they've got to go somewhere strange, and that can't be good for their health," Ms Stanton said.

"Like other towns have got, we deserve that; we're the place where big money is made, we should get that money back here so that we can actually have those people be able to stay at home.

"A lot of us have to be family for those that are here... while people are scared that their family has to leave town.

"I guess they just sit in rooms and just wait for someone to come through that door that they may know, or someone with a smiling face."

The Queensland Country Life did contact the Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd, but the member did not respond directly to our questions.

A spokesperson for Ken O'Dowd's office said the Federal government would contribute $4,094,727 to construct the Ivy Anderson Village, a self-contained facility for medium-level care and aged care residents at Springsure, located 66 kilometres south of Emerald.

"It will provide a safe, affordable housing option that maintains the dignity of our ageing population while giving them the support they need," the statement reads.

"A key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has just been established by the Federal Government, with 17 expert aged care representatives appointed to the inaugural National Aged Care Advisory Council.

"This Advisory Council will play a key role in guiding that implementation, alongside a new Council of Elders and an Inspector-General of Aged Care."

Labor's Candidate for Flynn Matt Burnett said there is a desperate need for more aged care beds in communities right across regional Queensland.

"These devastating closures and gaps in aged care beds have forced seniors to move away from their families and hometowns," Mr Burnett said.

"The stories from Emerald are proof that too many of our seniors need to leave town to access adequate aged care in the big cities.

"Older Australians helped build this country; they worked hard, paid their taxes and raised their families locally."

"They rightly expect the Federal Government to support them in their older years."

"Whether it's better child care, Medicare, or aged care, Labor cares, and that's what an Anthony Albanese Labor Government will deliver for regional Queensland."

Want daily news highlights delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Queensland Country Life newsletter below.