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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Queensland Town Rallies to Raise $750,000 for Aged Care Facility

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Residents of Texas, Queensland, are campaigning to raise $750,000 to build a much-needed aged care facility in their small town.
  • The town, with a median age of 53, lacks any public aged care services, forcing residents to move far away for care, often separating couples.
  • The initiative is driven by community members like Joan White, whose husband developed dementia after a difficult period, highlighting the emotional and practical toll of the current lack of local facilities.

In the small Queensland town of Texas, residents are rallying to raise $750,000 to address a critical shortage of aged care facilities. The community, which has a median age of 53, 15 years higher than the national average, currently has no public aged care services, compelling many elderly residents to leave their hometown to access necessary care.

It is a sad story, but I don't want anybody else to make it their journey

— Joan WhiteJoan White, a resident of Texas, Queensland, expressing her motivation for the community's push to build a local aged care facility.

Joan White, a former country mayor, is spearheading the effort. Her personal experience underscores the urgent need for local facilities. After her husband, Alan, developed dementia following a difficult period involving drought and the euthanasia of their cattle, he was sent 120 kilometers away to an aged care facility after she suffered a heart attack. "It is a sad story, but I don't want anybody else to make it their journey," she stated, emphasizing the emotional distress caused by such separations.

The lack of local care not only impacts individuals but also couples facing the prospect of separation. Brian and Annette Mearns, married for nearly 60 years, expressed their fear of being separated when they eventually require aged care. "You're used to someone in bed beside you at night and you're used to talking to someone at the table … and togetherness," Ms. Mearns said, describing the thought of separation as "absolutely traumatic."

You're used to someone in bed beside you at night and you're used to talking to someone at the table … and togetherness

— Annette MearnsAnnette Mearns, a long-time resident of Texas, Queensland, describing the importance of companionship in aged care and the fear of separation.

The Texas Care Foundation Limited, a board of community members, is driving the fundraising campaign. Their goal is to create a facility that can accommodate older residents, including those with dementia, ensuring they can remain in their hometown. The initiative highlights a significant challenge facing many rural and regional communities: providing adequate and accessible aged care services to an aging population.

I tell her she can leave anytime she likes, but I'm coming with her

— Brian MearnsBrian Mearns, a resident of Texas, Queensland, joking about his commitment to his wife as they face the prospect of needing aged care.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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