Uralla Council is considering expanding its 36-bed McMaugh Gardens aged care home, because the requirement for 24/7 RNs, which came in at the beginning of this month, makes it more economically sustainable to have a higher number of residents.
The Council has commissioned a consultant to develop concept plans for an upgrade of the aged care home in Uralla, which is 465km north of Sydney and about 23km south west of Armidale.
Mayor Robert Bell says there is a “substantial” waiting list for the home, The Northern Daily Leader has reported.
McMaugh Gardens has 35 rooms and one respite room, but the Council hopes to increase those numbers to a total of 50 rooms.
The Mayor said the requirement to have one RN on duty 24/7 means it’s more financially sustainable to increase numbers.
While most community-based aged care homes are operating at a loss, the Mayor said, “We’re looking to break even, but at the end of the day, it’s about what sort of support we can give to our elderly residents, not about how much money we might or might not make out of it.”
The project’s next step will be seeking Federal Government grants to proceed.
The SOURCE: Despite the challenges, there is demand for regional aged care services and opportunities for Councils and providers willing to take a risk to keep residents in their local communities.
