May 2008

New aged care home is taking shape

Combining an Australian-first teaching nursing home and a state-of-the-art aged care home, Southern Health’s newest facility is quickly taking shape in Doveton.

The 100-bed Chestnut Gardens Aged Care Home is one of the first steps in the planned redevelopment of the Kingston Centre.

The new facility will offer 84 single and eight double bedrooms with ensuites.

The double rooms are designed to accommodate couples or those who wish to share.

Each bedroom will be cabled for individual telephone, television and internet access.

Chestnut Gardens will be built as a series of houses, each with its own decorator colours and incorporating the latest environmental features and each designed to meet particular care needs, so as the residents’ needs change, the home can still care for them.

Inside will be well-equipped activities areas, spacious dining areas, including a private area for family celebrations, and several comfortable lounge rooms, including two with large plasma screens and Foxtel.

Outside plans include extensive gardens and terracing to allow residents to dine outdoors, develop their own gardens or pursue hobbies.

There will also be barbecue facilities, work sheds, walking paths and comfortable seating.

With the planned closure of the current Kingston Centre Nursing Home later this year, residents will be able to move to Chestnut Gardens, Yarraman Nursing Home in Noble Park (both part of Southern Health) or to another home of their choice.

Yarraman residents will also have the choice of moving to the new facility.

Staff are being given the opportunity to be part of a new resident-centred model of care and have the opportunity to be part of Australia’s first teaching nursing home.

‘All the changes we make will be based on principles of resident-centred care,’ said Director of Aged Services Kate Gray.