Gaynes Park Suites unveiled by Life Care
Published: 14 May 2021
A $47 million South Australian-first seniors housing concept was officially opened by the South Australian Premier today (Friday 14 May), to bridge the gap between retirement living and full-time residential aged care.
Gaynes Park Suites, created at Joslin by innovative aged care provider Life Care, is based on international best practice and the success of the ‘assisted living’ concept in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
It allows those in their 70s and 80s to enjoy bespoke, luxury apartment-style living with in-house support and a wellbeing program designed to help them make the most of life.
Gaynes Park Suites features 41 single and two-bedroom suites including kitchens and living/dining areas. Residents enjoy lunch and dinner in the five-star restaurant, along with communal lounge areas, a library, cinema/events room, billiards room, consulting rooms for visiting specialists and service providers, and landscaped gardens. The entire facility is serviced by a concierge and dedicated staff.
Life Care CEO Allen Candy says the new concept will help meet a shortage of suitable seniors accommodation options, with demand expected to run between 700 to 1100 dwellings by 2030 as the state’s population ages.
“Residents will be able to live independently, drawing on a range of support services from meals created by our executive chef, the acclaimed chef Bethany Finn, to housekeeping, personal care and nursing/medication support as they need it,” he said.
“They will also access a range of individual and group health and wellbeing programs on-site and via Life Care Active located opposite, to encourage social interaction and physical activity.
“Gaynes Park Suites is part of our strategy to create communities that combine accommodation and care with leading-edge wellbeing programs that enable residents to improve their overall health and wellness. It is a campus that we can be proud to have our parents and grandparents move into today and it will remain relevant for many years to come.”
Premier Steven Marshall said Life Care’s Gaynes Park Suites would fill a gap in the aged care sector.
“Assisted living is a unique concept and we are delighted that innovative providers like Life Care are setting the benchmark for the industry for the benefit of South Australians,”
Mr Marshall said.
“This outstanding complex is the way of the future and will be well sought-after.”
Mr Candy said the development showed the not-for-profit’s commitment to applying international best practice to the aged care sector.
Residents will benefit from a tailored wellbeing program and be encouraged to set personal goals that their wellbeing plans will support, such as dancing at a grandchild’s forthcoming wedding that would prompt physiotherapy and activity designed to improve mobility, strength and coordination. Goals may also be more social, such as connecting with local music, charity or church groups.
“We are building a community of like-minded individuals and offering them connection with their peers and support that can be difficult to access in their own home as they age,” he said.
New resident Patricia Forrest moved into Gaynes Park Suites in late April after a decade in retirement living. Having cared for her late husband for many years before he required full-time care for dementia and Parkinson’s, she is now settling into her suite and enjoying the support available.
“I feel that this is the home for me. It’s just a wonderful place, it’s like a big long holiday with support when you need it from the lovely staff,” she said.
Gaynes Park Suites adjoins Life Care’s existing 96-bed internationally-recognised residential care facility, Gaynes Park Manor, at the corner of Payneham Road and Lambert Road in Joslin.
Life Care is a not-for-profit provider of aged care services spanning independent living, home care, respite and full-time residential aged care. These services are offered across nine locations, from Aldinga Beach to Christie Downs, Reynella, Mitchell Park, Everard Park, Glen Osmand, Joslin, Modbury and Balaklava.
The Unley-based organisation employs more than 800 staff, supported by 170 volunteers, and is celebrating 70 years of delivering care to older South Australians.
Further media information contact:
Vicki Cirillo – vcirillo@communikate.net.au or 0427 020 909
Ben Smeaton – bsmeaton@communikate.net.au or 0488 940 010