Timaru’s Arvida Strathallan community has plenty to celebrate with the reopening of their renovated hospital-level care household.
Many of us have felt the long arm of the pandemic, especially those in the health sector who continue to battle medical and support staff shortages. For Timaru’s Arvida Strathallan, this saw the closure of the hospital-level care household in July 2022. However, it is now reopened, beautifully renovated and welcoming residents.
‘We have some really wonderful residents here at Strathallan, as well as a dedicated and friendly team of healthcare professionals so we wanted to ensure the spaces in which they live and interact exceed expectations,’ explains Arvida Sales and Services Manager Tania Buchanan.
And that they have, with a major refurbishment of the hospital community – updating the 26 individual rooms, adjoining en suites and the communal living area. Local Timaru contractors worked alongside Tania to bring the vision to life, with the installation of modern lighting, carpet, curtains and a fresh coat of paint bringing a new lease of life to the space. Artwork, hotel-quality linen and new furniture in the rooms have elevated the offering in the private areas. ‘It was wonderful welcoming back our residents in March this year and seeing the delight on their faces,’ enthuses Tania.
Small additions have made significant aesthetic and practical improvements, such as a new electric fire in the communal lounge, and a heated bench in the kitchen – which ensures food stays warm. ‘It was about bringing a sense of homeliness to the rooms and the lounge,’ continues Tania. ‘The fire in particular has been a wonderful way to achieve this.’
Tania and the entire Arvida team are all too aware of the important role they play in the lives of their residents and families. ‘Our advice to families, and individuals, when looking for rest home or hospital-level care is to choose somewhere that feels comfortable and places an emphasis on support. It is your family member’s new home, so it should feel like that – and you should leave knowing that they are going to receive nothing but the best.’
The first residents moved back into the refurbished household in March and have delighted in being in the new space – both inside and out, with the garden also receiving a makeover in the form of new plantings. ‘Having these wide open spaces for residents to enjoy is really important for wellbeing,’ continues Tania. ‘Being able to sit in their rooms, or the lounge, and connect with the outdoors is wonderful.’
As well as the hospital household, Arvida Strathallan boasts a community for those residents living with dementia, a household for rest home-level care and a range of independent living villas. Having the hospital-level household reopened has been cause for celebration for all of those who call Arvida Strathallan home. ‘One of our independent residents, who has been living here since 2001, now has her partner in care,’ explains Tania. ‘Having the hospital back open has meant she is able to visit him whenever she wants. Which is fantastic, and exactly what we want to be able to offer.’
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