Benevolent Living, formerly, Benevolent Aged Care, has been given Council Approval for a new $44M seniors living community combining both residential care and independent living apartments.
The new development will see the construction of a unique Arts Themed seniors community that will provide a total health, wellness and living solution. The community will not only be a place of residence for the regions seniors but also a place for the community to interact and engage.
CEO, Alison Moss says, “people’s expectations of how they age are changing, and we are adapting to meet those changing needs.”
“We are transforming from the traditional medical model and reinvigorating residential care with a new social lifestyle model that focuses on health, wellness, meaning and purpose not just clinical care.”
Significant importance was placed on designing a space the community could visit and enjoy. There will be a town square with performance space for local musicians as well as a gallery walk-way for local artists to display their work.
The development will occur over three stages on Benevolent Living’s current West St location. The new buildings will include residential care suites and apartments - perfect for married couples – as well as independent living apartments where residents will join a community of like mind people.
“The concept is very exciting as it means that our residents will have the ability to ‘age in place’ all the support and services will be available in our community. We also have the benefit of being centrally located and close to hospitals and medical professionals,” says Ms Moss.
A project like this is a first for the Rockhampton region and much needed with wait lists growing for both residential care and home care support.
Chairman of the Board, Kevin Hogan believes such “a remarkable development will hopefully help stem the outward migration of our regions seniors.”
“We are creating accommodation options that will rival our southern counterparts and hopefully even attract seniors back to the region,” says Mr Hogan.
The development will mean a significant investment in infrastructure for the region and increase the overall capacity of Benevolent Living to over 230 residents. Construction is expected to begin mid-2020.