Good news for day care centre

Tauranga's day care centre for the elderly may be saved after strong protests over threats to close it down.
Caregivers and elderly gathered at a meeting on Sunday where it was announced the Bay of Plenty District Health Board were making moves to keep Carruth Day Care open.
Friends of Carruth member Graeme Lingard said the news was wonderful but expressed cautious optimism to those who attended the meeting.
"I told them 'don't start popping the champagne cork just yet but you can put them in the fridge to get them cool'."
Mr Lingard said the group was appreciative of the health board's support, "now we know the health board is in negotiations with some possible providers".
Bay of Plenty District Health Board portfolio manager for health of older people Sarah Davey said the health board was advertising for a new provider and premises and there had already been interest.
Ms Davey said the strong turnout at the meeting - about 90 people - highlighted the importance of the service to the elderly and caregiving community.
She said it was the health board's intention to find an alternative. "We are asking people to put in a new premise for us. There have already been a couple of interested parties so far. The new challenge will be to find suitable premises."
Caregiver Lee Murray said it was short-sighted not to have the facility operating anymore.
"We have got a very old community here. The demand is only going to go up, not down."
Mrs Murray helps her mother care for her elderly father, who suffers from advanced dementia and impaired vision.
She said the opportunity to take her father to the centre for a couple of days a week was hugely beneficial for him and her family.
"If you are living at home with family members and partner and then you need to go into care . . . it's a big change.
"But if you have got the day care option then they are already comfortable spending a day or two away from home, it becomes easier."
The centre has operated for 30 years and services 18 to 28 clients each day. It is proposed to close in four months.
Geoff Hipkins, chief executive officer of Oceania Group, which owned Melrose Lifestyle Care and Village where the centre is based, said the decision to stop the day care centre had been made as a result of funding issues and other ongoing problems.