LOCAL NEWS
“I’m jealous! When can I move in?”
—Andrew Gee
After several years of planning and 2 ½ years of building, UPA has opened the newly refurbished Ascott Gardens. The Poppy and Cedar dementia cottages, Short Term Restorative Care Suite and the Synergy Active Ageing Centre are amongst the new renovations.
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scott Gardens has increased from 62 rooms to 78. All rooms, as well as the common areas have been refurbished to consist of a new entry with fire place, library, shop and a hair salon. Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, Mayor of Orange, Reg Kidd and UPA State Board President, Mrs Louise Buxton were among the many who were there to open the cottage officially. Mrs Buxton said, “It’s been a long time in the making and we send our thanks and appreciation to everyone who has been involved throughout the process.” Member for Calare, Andrew Gee added, “I’m jealous! When can I move in?” Each cottage’s satellite kitchen and breakfast/sitting room have been refurbished. The main dining area has been extended to accommodate 12 extra residents and the kitchen
Some Quick History
children’s nge in 1950 with Beuna Vista UPA commenced work in Ora Vista set Sun h d care work started wit home. Our first step into age House ill Ast 9 197 5. In the first stage in Retirement Village units in 196 Gallard The 3. 199 in in Molong followed came to life and Prunus Lodge nced their me com UPA r the following yea Centre was opened in 1998, and Astill ed clos and s opened Ascott Garden Home Care work. In 2005 we es kag pac e car t of consumer directed House. In 2012 a successful pilo e places car tial den resi granted 16 additional commenced. In 2015 we were ces. pla e car tive ora eight short term rest and in 2017 we were approved
has undergone an upgrade. The opening of the 2 new dementia cottages, Poppy and Cedar, Synergy Active Ageing and the beautiful updated general cottages Boronia, Magnolia, Lavender and Camilla have been melded together to become an exciting new offering of care in the Central West.
Mrs Buxton continued, “The Ascott Gardens you see today represents an important step in our development of a new approach to caring for older people, not just here in Orange but across UPA. Wellness, reablement and restorative approaches are emerging as powerful ways to help older people improve their function, independence and quality of life.”
Poppy and Cedar dementia support cottages are small scale with 14 residents in each wing and a central hub for staff out of sight. They have sunny lounge rooms opening onto delightful outdoor spaces with chooks, an outdoor laundry and clothes lines, Vegie gardens, BBQ areas and alfresco dining. To top it off there’s a tool and potting shed. In short there are choices and options and a flexible approach to ensure every resident’s needs are met. The Synergy Active Ageing Centre also embodies the new approach – it includes a Gym, Art Studio, Cinema, Therapy room, Men’s shed, Café, Dining room, Music Room, Library and Computer Lab, Day Centre as well as Home Care offices. “It will provide a lovely bridge between home care services and residential care. Importantly it will assist us with the ShortTerm Restorative Care program. This is a new early intervention
programme that aims to reverse or reduce ‘functional decline’ in older people and improve their wellbeing. The building and its concept are designed to assist older people living in the community who have experienced a decline or set back, but have not required hospitalisation.” “Short-term restorative care provides a range of care and services for up to eight weeks to help prevent or reduce difficulties an older person is having completing everyday tasks. It’s a unique program designed to get people back on their feet and improve quality of life. It will provide a lovely bridge between home care services and residential care. Importantly it will assist us with the Short-Term Restorative Care program. This is a new early intervention programme that aims to reverse or slow ‘functional decline’ in older people and improve their wellbeing.”
JUNE 7–13, 2018
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