APRIL 10 2019
Willochra Home in Crystal Brook will be expanding its existing 34-bed facility thanks to a federal government capital grant of more than $3 million.
The largest of its kind awarded in the state, it will see more independence and community involvement for the town and existing residents.
The grant will create an eight-bed cottage, where each room will open up into the independence of a dining, lounge and kitchenette area.
The general manager of the home Pam Charnock says the bed boost will positively impact most parts of the home, creating more room for residents and activities both inside and outside the home.
“The residents will have more of a community,” Pam said.
“They can do their own cooking themselves and have the ability to go in and out of the gardens.”
“The eight people in that will be under one roof and it will be like a home environment for them.”
Willochra has thought carefully about the expansion and has followed the advice of recent research which says that six personalities in one cottage is not enough, but nine is also too many.
Click on the image above to launch the rest of the Crystal Brook Chronicle magazine.
Therefore, finding eight people who suit what the cottage is intended for is incredibly important to them.
“Into the future, we would like to build independent living units that can be maintained and serviced with our community packages at home,” she said.
“Therefore it is only one step into aged care, with true ageing in place in their home and security, instead of the multiple moves into aged care which is quite the norm.”
Providing more independence to their low-care resident is not only what the cottage will facilitate, but it will also provide the opportunity for those who require day care respite or emergency respite to come into the home.
Pam explained that there will also be dementia care related packages available with their expansion which she believes has become a greater need in the Crystal Brook and surrounding communities.
“That is why we have done the fencing at the moment, to allow for more dementia care clients in our home.
“There is also a lot more demand for that area and palliative care, we will have two designated beds for palliative care.”
“There is growing need for them in the community.”
Federal member for Grey Rowan Ramsey was pleased to announce the funding for the Crystal Brook home and says he is glad that the government is investing more in regional aged care.
“Improving and expanding local residential facilities and aged care services is fundamental to keeping our communities strong,” Mr Ramsey said.
“This announcement is great news for Willochra Home which is an exemplary facility providing top class care for its residents.”
The new cottage will be attached to the current Willochra building and is expected to be built and opened by the end of 2020.