Aged care meets child care

WA is expected to receive their first intergenerational aged care centre, after reputable aged care provider Oryx Communities got approval to proceed with their vision. A trip to the US was the motivation for an innovative aged care centre to be built on a sought-after site near Claremont Oval.

The Queenlea development will incorporate a 120-bed residential aged care facility with 39 assisted-living apartments and a childcare centre for more than 80 children, allowing elderly residents to interact with children from the onsite childcare centre.

Oryx Communities converted luxury West Perth hotel The Richardson into an aged care facility this year, making the Queenslea the second unconventional aged care project by the Perth company.

While the idea was in its infancy in Australia, Oryx managing director Toby Browne-Cooper said it had been successful in the US, where he saw it in action.

“The elderly benefit from socialising beyond their existing friendship circle,” Mr Browne-Cooper said. “They increase their self-esteem and emotional wellbeing by sharing their stories, experiences and care to younger people. For children, there are so many natural learning experiences that come from interacting with older people who might have a different perspective.”

The two and three bedroom assisted living apartments are predicted to be selling off the plan in early 2019, before the development is completed in 2021.