ACH to open wellness hub and retirement village
The health studio aims to support older people to stay physically active and connected to their communities.
South Australian aged care services and retirement living provider ACH has begun construction on a health and wellbeing hub in Adelaide.
Located north-east of the city in Rostrevor, the $5-million hub – called the Health Studio – is part of the provider’s strategy to boost the wellbeing of older South Australians.
“Supporting South Australians to stay physically active and connected to their communities is critical to their wellbeing and quality of life,” said ACH Group interim chief executive officer Linda Feldt. “The Health Studio is in line with our strategic vision of creating connected communities by incorporating community, health, residential care, and retirement living all within one hub in the northeastern suburbs of Adelaide.”
With a focus on positive ageing, the Health Studio Rostrevor will have a similar offering to other studios at Christie Downs, Glenelg and Gilles Plains. It will provide allied health services such as physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics, massage, and personal training. Also available, Tai Chi, and mobility and balance classes.
The hub will be located on vacant land adjacent to ACH Group’s Milpara Residential Aged Care Home. Construction is slated to be completed by October 2024.
Sustainable housing project underway
Elsewhere in Adelaide, ACH is also building a retirement village of four independent living, two-bedroom units with a focus on sustainability and accessibility in the suburb of Hope Valley.
“Older people want to remain independent at home as they age but want to stay connected, feel safe and be empowered at the same time,” said Ms Feldt. “An independent retirement living community provides them with peace of mind, engagement opportunities and the ability to establish new friendships with like-minded people.”
The development targets comfort and energy efficiency with all bedrooms, living spaces and private outdoor areas positioned to maximise access to natural light. Units will also include naturally ventilated living spaces, double-glazed windows and a 1.5 kW solar system to power household utilities.
“In addition, by designing to higher standards for accessibility, we aim to ensure that residents can comfortably age in place. This includes features such as greater circulation, wider door widths, stepless transitions throughout the home, and reinforced walls for future installation of grab rails,” Ms Feldt siad.
The secure gated-development will feature landscaped open spaces and individual vegetable gardens in a communal setting.
With construction expected to be completed in early 2025, the Hope Valley development will grow ACH Group’s retirement living community to 39 villages across metropolitan Adelaide and the Fleurieu region.
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