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HammondCare
  • HammondCare
  • 16 December 2021
  • News

HammondCare dementia village at the Repat to include innovative shop venture

  • Author: HammondCare
  • Read time: min. read

Construction is underway on South Australia’s first purpose-built dementia village, based on the cottage-style model of care, at the Repat Health Precinct in the Adelaide suburb of Daw Park.

HammondCare, one of Australia’s leading health and aged care providers is building the village that will cater for 70 residents with the support of the State Government of South Australia.

Federal Minister for Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, State Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade and State MP for Elder Carolyn Power joined HammondCare Chief Executive Mike Baird for a sod turning on the project today.

A key feature will be a Village Store, designed and developed in consultation with Coles Group, under an exciting joint venture announced last month to keep the experience of shopping real for people living with dementia.

Minister Colbeck said it was pleasing to see work get underway after several years of detailed planning.

“This village will bring to South Australia a high standard of care for people living with dementia in a purpose-built environment,” Minister Colbeck said.

“It will be another example of how innovative design and planning can lead to better outcomes for those living with dementia. It is an exciting step forward and will ensure high quality care for our most vulnerable and peace-of-mind for their families.”

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the purpose-built care home will form an important part of the Marshall Liberal Government’s reactivation of the Repat Health precinct.

“The Repat provides a perfect location for this facility, integrating with other recently opened specialised services at the precinct,” said Minister Wade.

“The reactivation of the Repat is something that South Australians can be proud of, and I'm delighted to have a world class provider in HammondCare to partner with us in delivering this vision."

Mr Baird said HammondCare’s small cottage model of care has proven effective over more than 25 years at providing great outcomes for the elderly and people living with dementia.

“This village is part of our ambition to be a leader in relationship-based care and to care for those that others can’t or won’t,” he said.

Mr Baird said HammondCare was delighted to be working with Coles Group to improve quality of life for people living with dementia in aged care homes by providing accessible shopping experiences.

The Village Store concept is based on research that found people living with dementia strongly report shopping as a favoured activity, providing them with dignity, autonomy and a sense of meaning and purpose.

Coles Group Chief Executive Emerging Business George Saoud said Coles was looking forward to working with HammondCare to enhance the shopping experience for the residents at the Repat Health Precinct.

“Shopping for groceries will feel more real for the residents by including features such as dementia-friendly designed check-outs, counters and shelving,” Mr Saoud said. 

“Coles is committed to leading the way in accessible shopping and this partnership with HammondCare reflects our purpose to help Australians live healthier and happier lives.”

South Australian building firm Mossop Constructions is undertaking the village project expected to be complete in March 2023. Motto Projects, another SA-based company, will project manage. Architects Bickerton Masters have partnered with Adelaide practice Swanbury Penglase for the village design.

The design includes 6 bunglalow-style cottages for 9-15 residents, built around a Central Park and Plaza, with good access to private and public outdoor areas.

Two of the cottages, each offering 9 places, will be specialist dementia care units – funded by the Commonwealth and SA Health - linked to an 11-place step down cottage.