Compare Communities - Australia’s First Choice, when comparing Retirement Villages. Compare, select and save up to $15k in your next move in life. 1300 190 547
Compare Communities - Australia’s First Choice, when comparing Retirement Villages. Compare, select and save up to $15k in your next move in life. 1300 190 547
on the Friday, April 28, 2017
Kemira at IRT William Beach Gardens at Kanahooka has won Innovation of the Year for Service Implementation at the Fifth Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards held in Singapore overnight.
The Awards recognise the best in health and elderly care in the Asia Pacific region.
This year, the awards received a total of over 190 entries from 14 countries.
Kemira is a specially designed Community for ageing people with intellectual disability and their primary carers. It opened in 2016 and features 12 universally designed villas, a community centre, and a five-bed respite centre.
"We’re immensely proud of Kemira. It addresses a crucial gap between aged care and disability services, and is helping to keep families together as they age" IRT Group Chief Executive Nieves Murray said.
"At Kemira, people with intellectual disability rent a home of their own and live with their primary carers within a supportive community as they age.
"This ensures that people with disability can continue living at Kemira even if they become separated from their primary carers due to poor health or passing," Ms Murray said.
Kemira residents Christine and her daughter Narelle now live next door to each other in one-bedroom units.
“As us carers age the worry is what will happen to our children. It's taken a load off my mind – it's been the worry of my life, my daughter's future," Christine said.
Her daughter Narelle says she likes Kemira because it's safe and she's always got friends to talk to.
"I go out for dinner in the community room, to watch DVDs or talk and giggle and laugh. It’s a change but it’s good to do your own stuff," she said.
IRT Group also received awards for being a finalist for Best Dementia Care Philosophy for the Flametree Dementia Care Project at IRT Woonona, and Facility of the Year - Independent Seniors Living, for Kemira at IRT William Beach Gardens.
Kemira is already a three-time award winner. Last year, the innovative Community was honoured with an Australian Business Award for Community Contribution, Best Commercial Project ($3-5M) from the Master Builders Association of NSW and a Highly Commended in the Excellence in Innovation category at the Illawarra Business Awards.
Find out more about IRT Group's retirement communities.
Photo credit: Kirk Gilmour
