Designs for an innovative neighbourhood of cottages for the care of people living with dementia have been unveiled today, as part of the Marshall Liberal Government’s revitalisation of the Repat precinct.
The new 70-place dementia care home is being delivered in partnership with one of Australia’s leading health and care providers, HammondCare.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the development will create around 600 jobs for South Australians, including 500 during the construction phase and up to 95 positions once the facility is open.
“This person-centred care home will form an important part of the Marshall Liberal Government reactivation of the Repat Health precinct,” said Minister Wade.
“While Labor closed the Repat, we have invested $115 million to revitalise the precinct as a vital part of South Australia’s future health system.
“In the shadow of Oakden, this new Dementia Care Facility has been designed to provide the absolute best care for South Australians living with dementia.
“It has been designed with cottage-style, home-like accommodation to care for people with varying stages of dementia and includes two 9 bed Specialist Dementia Care Units (SDCUs), one to be funded by the Commonwealth and the other by SA Health.
“The Repat provides a perfect location for this facility, integrating with other recently opened specialised services at the precinct like the Neuro-Behavioural Unit and the Specialised Advanced Dementia Unit.
“We know that dementia is on the rise in South Australia and this new service demonstrates our commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Oakden Report and ensuring the highest quality healthcare for older people with complex care needs.
“South Australians can be proud of the reactivation of the Repat as the construction of purpose-built services, like the HammondCare dementia care home, continue on the site.”
HammondCare’s model of care aims to ensure residents living with dementia have every opportunity to live as independently as possible, function at their greatest potential and enjoy life. Care staff work flexibly to promote a home-like environment and to engage residents with the world around them.
HammondCare Chief Executive Mike Baird said HammondCare was pleased to partner with SA Health to create a centre of dementia care excellence, designed according to international best practice, that will provide dignity and quality of life to some of the state’s most vulnerable people.
“This aged care home at the Repat Health Precinct is in line HammondCare’s mission as an independent Christian charity to improve the quality of life for people in need,” Mr Baird said.
“The small cottage model of care, the heart of this project, is informed by research and more than 25-years of experience in offering dementia care in small cottages in NSW and Victoria,” he said.
Clinical oversight for the homes for people with dementia will be the responsibility of HammondCare, with specialist clinical support such as psychogeriatricians or geriatricians provided by SA Health.
Construction for the dementia care home is expected to be complete by early 2023.
For more information, go to www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/repat.
