Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan today toured a new state-of-the-art $55.57 million public aged care facility in Kew.
The new complex, named Berengarra – the Aboriginal word for ‘the land around Kew’ – is a dementia-friendly facility that includes 90 private rooms with ensuites, split over three levels.
The Minister said the facility features comfortable and home-like environment with garden outlooks, natural light and common areas for socialising and leisure.
“We’re modernising and upgrading public residential aged care right across Victoria – providing older people with access to the very best services and care,” said Mr Donnellan.
“This is just one part of the largest ever revamp of Victoria’s public sector residential aged care facilities as we continue delivering on our promise to senior Victorians.”
He said the new facility would provide residents with access to medical, rehabilitation and allied health care services quickly and easily through St George’s Health.
The first residents are expected to move into Berengarra in the coming months.
The project marks the completion of the first stage of the Labor Government’s plan to modernise public sector residential aged care in metropolitan Melbourne.
Under this plan, older facilities in suburban Melbourne are being progressively replaced with purpose-built residential services that enable contemporary models of aged care which are dementia friendly and suited to the needs of people with mental health and complex care needs.
“Berengarra offers older Victorians exactly what they deserve – a safe, private and comfortable place to call home with the best possible on-site health care,” said Member for Hawthorn, John Kennedy.
”This marvelous new facility will provide older members of our community with a safe place for them to call home as they age.”
