West Australian not-for-profit Bethanie has taken out the prestigious Urban Development Institute of Australia award for ‘Best Seniors Living Project’ for its Gwelup retirement village and aged care development.
So what was it that impressed the judges?
Aside from its technology and low environmental footprint, the site has a unique campus-style model with separate residential apartments and an aged care facility that run as one.
Bethanie says this allows them to offer a ‘continuum of care’ – residents can opt to receive services delivered to them in their apartment including home delivered meals, laundry and cleaning services.
If they need more support down the track, they can move to a bed in the aged care facility.
Keeping couples together in old age
The model also has plenty of appeal for couples who don’t want to be separated.
“At this stage, we have two couples with us who are in the fortunate situation where one is able to live independently in their own apartment while their partner lives practically down the hallway, receiving full-time care,” Bethanie CEO Chris How explains.
It’s a good idea. I think we all worry about what we will do if one of our parents needs to go into aged care and they don’t want to be separated.
Currently a quarter of retirement villages have co-located aged care facilities, and more operators are now looking to offer this option.
Just recently, one of our biggest operators Lendlease announced it would build 756 aged care beds at seven of its retirement villages.
Making the move into aged care is not easy – for residents or their families. Know that loved ones are nearby could go a long way to making the transition smoother.
