New Lease on Life for Katanning’s Senior Community

Aged care in the Great Southern has received a significant boost through the revitalisation of the heritage Juniper Bethshan residence, enabling the service to deliver appropriate services in the 21st century.

Juniper Chief Executive Vaughan Harding said the project was part of a large investment by the organisation to build local capacity and services in Katanning and the Great Southern.

“Most people live for years in their local community. By renewing existing services and developing new responses we are able to assist people to continue to remain in their local community without having to move elsewhere to find the services and support they require,” he said.

Mr Harding said Juniper is incrementally building up its regional infrastructure, capability and services in the Great Southern, Kimberley, Wheatbelt and also Perth metropolitan regions to help ensure the needs of Western Australia’s ageing population are met.

“This latest Juniper project, combined with the commencement of the first stage of a multi-million-dollar aged care, retirement and community services hub in Albany, are part of our efforts to create greater capacity in responding to growing demand for services,” he said.

“In addition to Juniper’s push to provide additional physical infrastructure, much of our work involves attracting, training and retaining a skilled workforce capable of responding to community need.”

Originally established in 1955 as a home for the aged called The Pines, the re-named Bethshan building started its life as a four room brick villa constructed in 1907.

The recently completed $1 million-plus revitalisation of Juniper Bethshan residential aged care building comprised major renovations inside and outside the facility.

The work included upgrades to accommodation and addition of new ensuites to 11 residents’ rooms; installation of 40-inch television sets to residents’ rooms; landscaping to interior and exterior yards; renovation and enlargement of laundry facilities; improvements to the building’s insulation; creation of new overnight accommodation for staff; and installation of passage handrails and barriers to improve safety and mobility.

In October this year Juniper also launched the Beryl Grant Community Centre near Albany, the first stage of Juniper’s long-term vision for the Great Southern which includes a new 100 bed residential aged care facility next to the community centre. Proposed plans for the site also include the creation of affordable units for retirees and the development of other health and community infrastructure in collaboration with partner organisations.

To deliver on its projects and add value to the communities where it operates, Juniper engages local trades and services wherever possible. Katanning builder Dominic Laurino of A Laurino and Company, with designer Judith McDougall, and a range of local suppliers were used to realise the renewal of Juniper Bethshan.

Find out more about Juniper. 

Pictured: Managers Sara and Sharon