Resthaven set to extend care services

Richard Hearn, Resthaven’s chief executive, says he is delighted that the care provider gained approval for 100 new aged care places in order to start building the new facility in the state's southern suburbs in Aberfoyle Park.

“We purchased the property from Onkaparinga Council in 2007. Since then, the site has been used by community groups, who will be consulted regarding future development,” Mr Hearn says.

“However, without the government funding of aged care places, we were not able to progress. Now we can now start the planning process, which can take between 18 months and two years, so the building is still some way off,” he says.

“It is in an ideal location; adjacent to shops, a school and a retirement village; and there is sufficient land to build a high quality aged care facility.

“The local community will benefit from additional services for older people, volunteering and employment opportunities, and involvement with community groups.”

“At capacity, a facility of this size not only provides aged care accommodation and support for 100 older people, but also offers about 100 long term jobs,” Mr Hearn explains.

Resthaven was also awarded funding for eight aged care places to expand capacity at Resthaven Mount Gambier, where the provider's state of the art facility has reportedly added enormous value to the amenity of the state’s second largest city.

The Department of Social Services reported that competition for new residential aged care places was the strongest in several years. In South Australia, a total of 212 new residential places and 550 new home care places were allocated. Not for profit organisations such as Resthaven were allocated 98% of available places in the state, reversing the national trend, where private providers dominate.

An extra 67 Home Care places were allocated to Resthaven across the southern and northern metropolitan areas, the Murraylands, Riverland and Limestone Coast country regions.’

“Supporting older people and their carers to live independently at home is another area of demand, with enormous capacity to enhance options to improve quality of life outcomes,” Mr Hearn says.

“We are pleased that there is also an opportunity to expand home care services into the Fleurieu Peninsula, and this will complement our new residential aged care service, due to open at Port Elliot by mid next year,” he says.