Roy Wotton Gardens aged care to close, residents offered alternative accommodation

"After a thorough consultation period with residents and aged care planners over recent months, it has been determined that Roy Wotton Gardens cannot continue operating and the services will transition to Hugh Cunningham Gardens in Tura Beach in early January 2022," a statement from RSL LifeCare said.

The company said that changing trends and the age of the the Eden premises meant it was no longer of a suitable standard.

"The Australian government is in the process of implementing aged care reforms where those older Australians with lower-care needs are cared for in their own homes, while those with higher needs are looked after in a residential aged care environment," RSL LifeCare said.

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"This has been consistent with consumer trends of the last 10 years, where older Australians have increasingly chosen to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, before moving into communal aged care facilities with 24-hour high-level care when they need it.

"Roy Wotton Gardens opened almost 30 years ago as a home for older Australians with lower-care needs. However, as a result of older Australians remaining in their own homes for longer, it houses 24 residents today with mostly high-care needs," RSL LifeCare said.

The company said the home was not physically designed to meet that high-care need.

"For example, the rooms were not designed for the use of mobility aids like wheelchairs and lifting machines to assist care staff move residents in and out of bed. In addition, the home has no onsite laundry."

The company said the safety, health and wellbeing of residents, staff, family members and community was its top priority at all times.

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"All residents will be offered alternative accommodation at RSL LifeCare's more contemporary Hugh Cunningham Gardens home at nearby Tura Beach, which can meet the high-care needs of residents," the company said.

"Hugh Cunningham Gardens medical services include 24-hour nursing care, GP visits, occupational therapists, pathology, podiatry, pharmacy deliveries, dieticians and speech therapists.

"It offers a range of contemporary facilities including a hair salon, library, lounge areas, village bus, wi-fi, dedicated dementia, respite, rehabilitation and palliation care areas," RSL LifeCare said.

"Lifestyle activities include happy hours, exercise classes, art therapy, bingo, movies, themed fun days, social outings, music, craft and intergenerational activities.

"RSL LifeCare will cover all residents' transition costs and all resident fees will remain the same for those residents who choose to move to Hugh Cunningham Gardens rather than exercise their choice to move to another home with another provider," the company said.

RSL LifeCare said it would take "some time to consider its options" for the long-term future of the Roy Wotton Gardens site.