The Weekly SOURCE was invited to the launch of the future of RetireAustralia's portfolio – villages with an aged care hub.
"We wanted to be able to take the principles of independent living to where older Australians can live their lives to the end of their lives independently,” CEO Brett Robinson said from The Verge at Burleigh, on Qld's Gold Coast, where 10 separate private suites form the aged care hub.
"I look at what we've produced today and I've got to say, I am overwhelmed and I'm very proud."
Launched last Thursday, already three people will go into the aged care hub this week. It is staffed 24 hours, seven days a week by a Registered Nurse and a qualified carer. There is 24 hours, seven days a week nurse call system and chef prepared meals. It will be the highest staff to resident ratio of care in the country.
The charge is $600,000 for a suite with no DMF, with residents entering under the Retirement Villages Act. The resident is responsible for funding a daily fee of $300 per day.
It is anticipated the resident’s care will be funded in part by their care package, or on a fee for service basis where one is not available.
For a couple living at The Verge, where one needs to access the care hub, they can do so without needing an equity release in their unit for $56 per day additional to the $300 per day fee.
RetireAustralia seeks to increase the number of residents paying for its own Home Care service and stressed to residents the aged care hub was only for when care in their apartment was impossible. It also could be used for respite care or returning from hospital.
"I see today as a significant milestone for us, but not just for us; for the industry in this country to look differently about how you provide community and accommodation that allow people to live happy, healthy lives and still be in control of what they do,” Brett added.
RetireAustralia will build a 10-suite care hub in Stage 1 of its next project, Arcadia Retirement Living, with a total of 159 independent living apartments. It will dominate the urban renewal precinct, Parkside Yeronga, in Brisbane's southern riverside suburb.
Browse villages.com.au for the latest on Seniors Living including availability.
