Federal Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Senator Richard Colbeck officially opened the revamped Latrobe Community, Strathdevon in August.
Senator Colbeck congratulated Uniting AgeWell on its $10 million investment in aged care services in north-west Tasmania, and unveiled a plaque naming the new Henley Wing.
He toured the state-of-the-art new wing and mingled with residents and staff.
Also attending the official opening were Uniting AgeWell Board Chair Simon Brewin, Senator for Tasmania, Helen Polley, Federal Braddon MP Gavin Pearce, Latrobe Council Mayor Peter Freshney.
The new wing was given an official blessing by the Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, Rev Denise Liersch.
Since opening to the community in May, 21 residents have moved into the new 30-bed wing and are enjoying to large rooms and open community spaces.
CEO Andrew Kinnersly said the Strathdevon expansion illustrated Uniting AgeWell’s commitment to providing high quality care to seniors in Tasmania’s north west.
“This increase in bed numbers and provision of contemporary facilities means we can support more people from across the region to remain in their local community and maintain social connections with the important people in their lives,” he said.
Andrew said Uniting AgeWell’s customer promise was to support people to live well with choice and peace of mind – irrespective of their cultural, religious, financial or social background – and supported in the ways that mattered to them.
This is reflected in the provision of rooms in the new wing that are designed to meet the special needs of the indigenous community, he said.
“The feedback we have received from the community about the quality of the facilities has been very positive,” he said.
Andrew said Uniting AgeWell also supported locals to remain independent at home for as long as possible, through its home and community support services, including Transition Care Community Packages.
