Innovative Seniors Living and Community Campus Opens at Little Mountain

In a Queensland first, a new community and seniors living campus has opened at Caloundra that is set to make a difference in the lives of young and old.

To celebrate completion of its latest development, Churches of Christ in Queensland opens up its doors to the new Campus on Parklands Boulevard, Little Mountain on Saturday 9 February from 9am to 12pm.

Churches of Christ in Queensland Chief Executive Officer Gary Edwards said this is the first time Churches of Christ, or any service provider in Queensland, had created a campus comprising a residential aged care service, community care office, aquatic centre, cafe and community centre for local community and resident use in one location.

“We’re delighted with the community response and the level of interest it’s generating – it’s very exciting for our organisation and our staff who have been working hard to raise this development out of the ground,” Gary said.

At the Open Day people can explore the community centre, café and new aged care service which is uniquely designed incorporating the latest dementia-design friendly principles and the unique cottage model of care.

Residential Aged Care Service

“While the service is equipped with the latest technologies to support clinical and personal care in a modern environment, its unique cottage design gives it a homelike feel.”

“It offers six cottages each with 16 private bedrooms with ensuites. Each cottage has tailored décor and named to reflect popular local beaches: Dicky, Golden, Bulcock, Kings, Moffat and Shelly,” Gary said.

The facilities, space and programs mean people from all ages can come together, connect and enjoy themselves.

“Families can spend time together in the café, enjoy watching grandchildren in the playground or participate in a swim program in the aquatic centre, or become involved in one of the activities that will take place in the auditorium.

“Moving into aged care can be a difficult time for people and their families, our aim is to help people to maintain independence as much as possible and enable family connections to be maintained and grow.

“Facilities are designed to support people and their families to remain close and involved with the people who matter to them most,” Gary said.

For people whose family and friends are not nearby, they have access to a place where they can become part of a community and feel safe, secure and valued.

Churches of Christ Care seniors living services ensure the social, spiritual, emotional and functional aspects of a person’s life are nurtured where they can experience a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose.

Aquatic Centre

The Aquatic Centre is state-of-the-art. It has a 25m heated lap pool and 7.5m heated learn to swim pool. It is near completion and due to open in March.

“It will operate using a membership-based model and include formal programs such as aqua aerobics, squad training, school swimming programs, learn to swim programs and lap swimming,” Gary said.

Community Centre

The Community Centre has also been designed to support community and resident needs. It accommodates a large auditorium which can cater for up to 250 people, four function rooms and one training room, each can cater for groups up to 25.

“They can be used for sharing of cultural activities such as dancing, art, drama and cooking. Celebrating creativity by exhibiting art and hosting performances and readings, festivals, markets and other community events and for teaching and learning through formal courses or workshops and groups,” Gary said.

Community Care

The Churches of Christ Care Community Care office will also be located onsite and serve as the regional base for staff who support seniors on the Sunshine Coast to live independently at home.

Establishment of the campus supports what Churches of Christ set out to achieve when it began to explore development of an integrated community development several years ago.

“We had the idea to create a place that could open up possibilities - for the community and campus residents.

“A place where an inclusive, healthy and connected community that fostered engagement, wellbeing and creativity could thrive in safe and accessible physical spaces,” Gary said.

“Now that we have completed construction and opened the doors, we invite people to come and experience the warm sense of hospitality that we offer, where everyone will feel welcomed.

“It’s who we are and what we do at Churches of Christ,” Gary said.

Open Day, Saturday 9 February, 9am to 12pm

The Open Day will be action packed with entertainment for young and old and a range of local entertainers, community groups and suppliers joining the celebrations. People will be able to explore the campus, participate in activities and take a guided tour of the 96-bed aged care service.

Find out more about Churches of Christ Care.