New home’s big start

Bupa Ballarat boasts 120 residents for its 144 room capacity since opening its doors in May. The new build hosted its official opening in Delacombe on Friday.

Bupa Aged Care managing director Louis Dudley said the home had been two years in advanced planning stages with a strong focus on local needs and interests.

“We want to see residents as a person first, not their condition,” Mr Dudley said. “People this age can be vulnerable, particularly with dementia, but we want them to still be part of the community. We take into account what people like doing in Ballarat and make that happen. Activities here will be different to activities to homes in Cairns.”

For Ballarat, this includes links to a men’s shed. Resident Lindsay George brought big band live to the opening with Vintage Brass, of which he is a percussionist.

Margot Fitzclarence said the home felt like a country club, and her family agreed when they visited from Brisbane last month.

“I made up my own mind to move into a home,” Ms Fitzclarence said. “It feels like you’re staying in a country club. There are gorgeous little lounges all through the place, each with a coffee machine. One of the ladies here says it feels like we’re going out for dinner every night.”

Bupa Ballarat has five residential communities, including two dedicated to people living with dementia. The home also offers respite care, access to in-house general practitioners and every room has a courtyard view.

Hawthorn AFL legends Peter Hudson and Gary Buckenara (now North Ballarat Roosters’ director of football) were special guests for opening celebrations.

Mr Hudson, who works in Bupa’s marketing division, enjoys connecting with people through football. Quality aged care is important to Mr Hudson, whose 91-year-old parents are together in a retirement village.

“My parents are both still going really well and are really healthy,” Mr Hudson said. "You can see how much they benefit from the environment they live in.”