Strengthening care for seniors

Australians will hopefully adopt a “new attitude” to approaching aged care after the unveiling of 11 social housing units in Tasmania.

In strengthening the community of care for older Tasmanians in the Berriedale area, the units will be managed by Uniting Aged Care Victoria and Tasmania.

The units were officially opened last week, with Uniting Aged Care’s Sharon Donovan confirming new residents have already moved in to the “blended community and are enjoying [their] wonderful extended family”.

“Developments like this are about more than putting a roof over someone’s head, it’s about building stronger, sustainable communities,” Ms Donovan says.

Incorporated into existing communities, Uniting Aged Care’s regional manager for Tasmania, Keith Burke, adds the “blended communities” have much to offer residents.

“This model is about bringing people together and creating vibrant communities, where people can learn from each other and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle,” he says.

Offering easy access to elderly residents and a minimum 6-star energy efficiency rating in the hope of reducing living costs, the units are part of a $10.2 million contract awarded to Uniting Aged Care to deliver 50 units to elderly residents across the state.