A $120,000 building upgrade to Karri and Tuart Lodge has resulted in huge benefits to residents living with dementia, as well as the care staff who work at the highly regarded residential aged care centre at Merriwa Estate.
As a result of the funding injection, the home now has a dedicated dining area and lounge room, in addition to a new nursing station situated within the centre of the facility. The work has also seen new furniture procured at Jasmin House and an increased level of storage being made available.
Starting work in December, the refurbishment project has just ended, with everyone involved hailing the work as an overwhelming success.
“The upgrade has enabled us to provide residents with a more purposeful, more intimate, homely environment,” says Joan Lowney, Facility Manager.
“As a result of the building works, we now have a dedicated dining room and a separate living room, which has brought about huge change as residents better understand where they are and for what purpose. As a result, we have noticed very positive behavioural changes which we have attributed directly to the improvements.
“For example, one really lovely illustration of how residents’ lives have benefited is the fact that we have been able to move the piano, which historically was tucked away in a corner, into the living room and residents have started to play it. We all know the benefits of music for people, especially those living with dementia, and it has been lovely to see our residents enjoy playing and also listening to it.
“And on top of that, our new nursing station is now right in the centre of the home and has glass walls, enabling our care team to observe residents at all times, and also allowing seniors to see what is happening and to catch a staff member’s attention at any time.”
Liam Jackson, RAAFA’s Manager of Capital Works, explains that the refurbishment project presented quite unique challenges given the work was undertaken in what is described as a ‘live’ environment, in other words in what is essentially people’s home and workplace.
“In many ways this was a challenging project, but the team was absolutely fantastic in helping us to relocate residents to various rooms when work needed to be undertaken in a particular area, and the communication that took place at every step of the way was really outstanding,” he says.
“We always had a dedicated project manager on site from the building company, and we were very focused on reducing noise at certain times of the day, so as not to disturb residents.
“We made sure that work was undertaken quickly and efficiently, and I think it’s fair to say that everyone involved is proud to have been part of such a successful and streamlined project which has had tremendous benefits first and foremost for the residents, but also for the staff that work there.”