The $30 million extension to Ryman Healthcare’s Nellie Melba Retirement Village was opened by Victoria Premier, Daniel Andrews, last Friday.
Premier Andrews and Ryman Healthcare Australia CEO Cameron Holland cut the ribbon to officially open 41 new independent living units in Wheelers Hill, 22km southeast of Melbourne’s CBD. It is now Ryman Healthcare Australia’s largest integrated village and aged care site in Australia.
Nellie Melba now has 256 independent living apartments, 85 assisted living apartments and a 190-bed care centre.
“It’s a point of pride for us (in Victoria) to have such an innovative model – this ageing in place reimagined, the continuum of care – a stunning example of what’s possible if you support people in their local community and meet their needs and provide a pathway so that their needs as they change can be met,” Premier Andrews said.
Meanwhile, University of Technology (UTS) in Sydney on Friday announced it is undertaking a research study into the potential health benefits of continuum of care villages for Australian seniors.
Professor David Brown, from UTS’ Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC), said the research project will focus on the care and financial outcomes of the continuum of care model, and examine what barriers there are to its implementation.
“Older people in Australia and their carers have great difficulty navigating their way along the care and ageing journey,” Prof. Brown said.
