A state of the art aged care facility being built by Wesley Mission has won an award for the Most Outstanding Aged Care Housing Design in Australasia in 2011.
Wesley Rayward Lodge located at Carlingford in Sydney’s northwest received the award for its design and functionality at the 13th Australasian Over 50s Housing Awards.
Wesley Mission CEO the Rev. Dr Keith Garner received the award on behalf of Wesley Mission at a presentation in Melbourne today.
“It is a delight to receive this award on behalf of Wesley Mission and with special recognition of our architects who have worked with us from concept to design and now build,” Dr Garner said. “The aged care sector, as we all know, is one of the most challenging and positive areas in Australian life.
“This award recognises what we describe as the ‘O-factor’. Although this will not gain the publicity that the X Factor does, we believe it to be a magnificent contribution to our serving the community today. The O-shaped building design provides a central community focus for the facility which encourages residents to move outside the space of their individual rooms.”
Dr Garner said the building design will provide a central community focus for the facility which will encourage residents to move outside the space of their individual rooms.
The 74 aged care bed facility will provide ageing-in-place accommodation. A 14 bed dementia unit has been incorporated into the design to ensure specialised care and security can be given to dementia sufferers.
A purpose-built, fully functional kitchen will provide familiar and safe space, and a landscaped outdoor area is a feature of this aspect.
A central courtyard will allow natural light into the building and open space through bay windows in each room. The courtyard will contain an aviary and barbecue area with sunshade protection, a café where friends and relatives can socialise, an internal informal dining area and a cinema.
“We put a great focus where possible on grandparents’ days during the school holidays,” Dr Garner said.
The latest technology will improve direct care outcomes for residents.
Electronic care systems, CCTV security, and sophisticated nurse call systems and cable television were just a few of the new technologies.
Upstairs, the design will incorporate a hairdressing salon, a library, therapy rooms and an internet café, providing residents with a greater range of lifestyle options. An outdoor upstairs terrace will give residents the opportunity to enjoy the view, looking into and across the O-shaped central courtyard.
Dr Garner said the new design was driven by the requirement for greater choice in the sector.
“The demand for choice will see a specialisation of housing and care services being provided to attract customers in a different market where customers pay a range of fees for services they choose. Currently there is a ‘one size fits all’ market, which is regulated at all levels,” he said. “Our award winning O-factor and level of care certainly coheres with how the future may well look.”
Dr Garner paid tribute to the work of Wesley Mission Operations General Manager Elizabeth Orr, Executive Manager, Residential Care and Independent Living, Jodie O’Sullivan, and Peter Shorten of Hodges Shorten Architects.
Wesley Rayward Lodge is named after the Rev Frank Rayward a former Superintendent of Wesley Mission. The $32 million facility is due to be completed by the end of next year.
