By Abbey Cannan
Three local organisations – NoosaCare, Tewantin-Noosa RSL and LiveLife Pharmacy group – are banding together to improve residential aged care services for members of the community living with dementia.
As part of the new initiative, NoosaCare will provide the staff and facilities through a new 32-bed, two-storey residential building and welcome centre on the Carramar site at Tewantin.
The Tewantin-Noosa RSL and the Livelife Phamacy group will provide additional donor funding for equipment and garden landscaping and this contribution will be recognised in the naming of particular areas of the new facility.
“We have always had a very positive relationship with both organisations and we are so thrilled that they have agreed to donate further funding to our new dementia project,“ CEO for NoosaCare Megan D’Elton said.
“We already have an existing 32-bed specialist dementia accommodation unit known as the Cartwright community located on the Carramar site. Once the new building is completed later in the year we will have double the capacity to assist members of our community living with dementia as well as their families.
“As Mayor Clare Stewart recognised when she turned the first building sod some months ago, the new project is a significant contribution to the local area and will position NoosaCare as one of the largest providers of dementia care on the Sunshine Coast.
“By focusing donor funding on gardens, outdoor spaces and specialist equipment we are able to build on existing services to provide additional memory support, activities and targeted stimulations for our residents.“
Tewantin Noosa RSL Vice Chairman Dean Harlow said it has been wonderful watching NoosaCare grow over the years.
“This used to be family property for me at one stage before it was developed so it has a special place in my heart,“ Mr Harlow said.
“The RSL loves to do what we can to help the community right through from children to the elderly.“
CEO of the LiveLife Pharmacy Group Clint Coker said creating a friendly environment for the residents was important to them.
“We donate to a lot of community clubs and this just seemed like the natural thing to do,“ Mr Coker said.
Ms D’Elton said NoosaCare would welcome further donations from other businesses, organisations or individuals.
“As a not for profit we need to rely on very careful financial management of government and resident funding as well as general philanthropy. We would love others to follow the example of the Tewantin-Noosa RSL and the LiveLife Pharmacy Group and help us to continue to do the extraordinary for residents living with dementia,“ she said.
NoosaCare is seeking community partnership for naming and invites anyone interested in finding out more to contact Danah Wood, Executive Assistant & Marketing Officer, NoosaCare Inc on direct line 5335 8422 or email executivesecretary@noosacare.com.au.
