Findon set for $42m Estia Health aged-care facility

A new $42m aged-care facility is planned for Adelaide’s west, with a specialised memory support garden. See the plans.

The $42m development will cater for 124 residents in a new two-storey facility. Picture: Supplied

Plans for a major $42m residential aged-care facility in Findon as been by one of Adelaide’s largest aged-care providers

The centre would cater for 124 residents – with some rooms containing two beds for couples – in a new two-storey building.

Estia Health’s Findon facility, located at 46-52 Crittenden Road, would provide a number of services to residents including a cafe, hairdresser and healthcare rooms in addition to 40 carparks and a dedicated memory support wing.

A concept report prepared for Estia Health says the development will deliver interactive and enabling landscapes, improved accessibility, sensory stimulation and allow both residents and visitors a “connection to nature”.

Designs of the proposed development. Picture: Supplied

“The proposed design for Estia Health Findon ground floor aims to offer a rich sensory experience with a diversity of spaces for different types of daily activities, such as socialising, entertaining, gardening, outdoor exercises, connecting to nature and relaxing,” it said.

“The memory support unit garden offers opportunities for various social groups including family gatherings, horticultural therapy, incidental gardening, games and laundry activities.

“This is achieved through the proposal of a looping walking route with points of interest along the way.

“The resident garden provides opportunities for rest and respite through seating nooks adjacent sculptural elements, and bird and butterfly gardens. An arboured walkway offers partial shelter along the path, and a secondary path allow for residents to explore along the sensory journey.”

A cafe, hairdresser, health care rooms and 40 car park spaces will be added to the new facility. Picture: Supplied

The building will have five wings with “generously sized” landscaped courtyards in between as the facility will seek to maximise the visual outlook of the resident rooms.

Estia Health said it was committed to allowing opportunities for “family gatherings, horticultural therapy, incidental gardening, and games”.

“The proposed design for Estia Health Findon aims to offer a rich sensory experience with a diversity of spaces for different types of daily activities, such as socialising, entertaining, gardening, connecting to nature and relaxing,” the report said.

“Terraces 1-5 provide spaces for enjoying the outdoors through the inclusion of planters and movable furniture, and looking out the gardens on the ground floor.”

All vehicle access and carparking will be via a single access point on to Crittenden Rd, which will require the relocation of an existing bus stop to another location in front of the site.

Estia Health currently has thousands of staff caring for more than 8000 residents throughout its network of more than 70 homes across the country.

The new Findon facility – staffed 24/7 – will be Estia’s 20th aged-care home in South Australia.