Move towards integrated care continues as Estia and Living Choice sign deal
Two new aged care facilities to be built on the Sunshine Coast will be the first developed under a new partnership between major retirement living operator Living Choice and aged care provider Estia.
Two new aged care facilities to be built on the Sunshine Coast will be the first developed under a new partnership between major retirement living operator Living Choice and aged care provider Estia.
Living Choice general manager Tim Bentley said construction of the aged care facility at its Twin Waters village was scheduled to start within six months while it was hoped construction at the Sunshine Cove site would start within the next 12 months. Combined, the developments would add a 216 aged care beds to the region by end of the 2019 financial year.
“Living Choice has established a strong reputation for developing high quality retirement accommodation and Estia is the ideal partner to help us broaden the range of services that we offer older Australians, through co-location of aged care homes in our communities,” said Mr Bentley.
Living Choice is one of Australia’s largest privately owned retirement village companies with 1,550 homes in nine villages in NSW, Queensland and South Australia, while Estia, which last year became the third aged care provider to list on the ASX, is on track to reach its target of 10,000 beds by 2020.
Under the partnership more than 500 greenfield aged care places will be developed by the end of the 2019 financial year, the pair said.
The partnership between Living Choice and Estia is indicative of a broader trend within the sector. As Australian Ageing Agenda has reported, independent living operators are increasingly seeking to provide a range of health and aged services within their villages.
Mr Bentley said the new facilities would provide residents with “peace of mind regarding the level of care available at our facilities and will certainly stimulate demand for homes within the villages. Residents at our Kawana Island village will also have priority access.”
CEO of Estia Health, Paul Gregersen, said Queensland was an increasingly important market for Estia’s growth plans and securing two additional residential aged care facilities on the Sunshine Coast was an attractive proposition.
“A core part of our strategy is to develop networks of facilities. When built, the two new homes will increase concentration in our network that stretches from Albany Creek in north Brisbane, through to Mount Coolum and Nambour,” said Mr Gregersen.
Want to have your say on this story? Comment below. Send us your news and tip-offs to editorial@australianageingagenda.com.au
Subscribe to Australian Ageing Agenda magazine (includes Technology Review)
