Anglican Retirement Villages has officially opened the doors to Marcus Loane House, a world-class facility for low level-care and dementia specific care, within a magnificent new retirement community at Warriewood Brook on Sydney's northern beaches.
Rob Freeman, CEO of Anglican Retirement Villages, has announced the facility has been named in honour of the first Australian born Archbishop of Sydney, a man of discerning compassion and strength who worked to support the entire community.
Sir Marcus Loane (1911 " 2009) was hailed as the "rock' of the church in Sydney and Australia. A renowned Christian scholar, he wrote 27 books on subjects ranging from theology and biblical studies to evangelical biographies. As Vice Principal and Principal of Moore College, he worked for twenty years with theology and university students who admired his moving, spiritual preaching and acknowledged his genuine interest in their lives.
As a long time resident of Sydney's north and a dedicated member of St James Anglican Church in Turramurra, Sir Marcus Loane had a passion for the enhancement of the community through his ministry.
Mr Freeman said: "Anglican Retirement Villages are committed to creating communities of Christian care across the greater Sydney region that are equipped to provide for residents as they age. We encourage residents to live on site in our independent living units for as long as possible, and provide any assistance they need. When the time comes for extra care, a private room in a low care facility is situated within their village community. This keeps family and friends close, enables our staff to build valuable relationships with the residents and ensures familiarity with their surrounds."
Ensuring a high level of resident wellbeing was integral to the innovative design which by dividing the 119 rooms into clusters of 17 rooms creates small household communities. Each of these small communities includes living spaces, dining room, resident kitchen, laundry and recreation spaces and sunny outdoor areas ensuring each resident can feel at home within a friendly and familiar atmosphere.
The facility has a high ratio of staff to residents on duty 24 hours a day. Registered nurses and certified carers work together to offer residents individualised care plans. In addition ARV has a team of dementia specific and palliative care nurses on site.
Welcoming its first 16 residents last month, Marcus Loane House has begun providing a much-needed care alternative on the northern beaches.
Facility Manager, Geraldine Tattersall says it was a pleasure welcoming the new residents.
“They are settling in well and are enjoying the opportunity to form friendships in their new home," she says.
