October 31st, 2023Rainbow tick accreditation for Hepburn House

Set amongst the picturesque surroundings of Daylesford, with glorious vistas
of the surrounding countryside from almost every window, Hepburn House
is serene and welcoming, the perfect place to spend quality years.
Hepburn House is a Commonwealth Government-funded aged care facility that
can provide customised advanced services to accommodate the needs of all residents
as they change over time.
There is a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, a physiotherapist on site,
wonderful care, hospitality, and lifestyle staff. The staff are professional and friendly.
With lots of activities and outings and nutritious, fresh meals cooked in-house and
the residents are happy and engaging.
Hepburn House has maintained rainbow tick accreditation since 2018, validating
it as a facility that is not only safe and friendly for LGBTIQA+ people, but also has
the knowledge and skills to deal with the particular needs of the community.
Hepburn House is inclusive and affirming to all people who choose to live here
and has strong policies devoted to privacy and freedom of choice.
Daylesford is a hub for many LGBTIQA+ residents, businesses and events, which
makes Hepburn House an ideal place for elder LGBTQIA+ people to live and be
close to community and activities.
The new wing adjacent to the facility is currently being built with completion
expected in November this year. This will feature 31 high-quality rooms – THE
VILLAGE. Another 15-bed wing is being purpose-built to support people living with
dementia – MEMORY LANE.
Hepburn House has built a culture of safety and respect so that the entire facility
is equally inclusive for LGBTIQA+ people. There is no segregation between the wings
at Hepburn House. All residents will be encouraged to enjoy the new communal
spaces in THE VILLAGE and MEMORY LANE. These include lounges, dining
rooms and external balconies with views.
Hepburn House offers a range of private rooms to suit different needs and
budgets. The new high-quality rooms in THE VILLAGE will be available to all
prospective residents. However the cost of the new build means that rooms in THE
VILLAGE may not be affordable for some.
Rooms in the original wing, aptly named THE HOMESTEAD, offer a
more homely environment which may be the choice for some. Rooms in THE
HOMESTEAD can accommodate prospective residents who are “fully or partially
supported” by aged care funding but rooms in THE VILLAGE cannot. There are
facilities for couples in both THE VILLAGE and THE HOMESTEAD.
MEMORY LANE, the 15-room wing purpose-built to support people living with
dementia features large communal areas, courtyards with private dining areas, private
lounges, and a garden area with raised garden beds all with magnificent views.
A nostalgic kitchen will enable residents to cook with staff supervision (volunteers
welcome). This will be an area of the facility that will be very attractive to all residents
to spend time there ensuring those living with dementia are not isolated. MEMORY
LANE will also be able to accommodate some fully supported residents who require
this specialised care.
It is hoped that the expansion of Hepburn House, with its vast communal spaces
and multiple purposes rooms, gardens, courtyard, workshed, cooking facilities and
theatre will promote community engagement. This extension aims to bring the
community in to ensure our residents are a part of and not separate to the rest of the
community.
The transition into aged care is often fraught with fear and anxiety for many
elderly. Hepburn House with the opening of the new wing will offer respite services
where elderly members of the community with current aged care respite approval can
enjoy a two-week respite before deciding on a permanent move.
The cost of respite is affordable to all and always indexed at 85 per cent of the
old-age pension. It is hoped offering this service will make the transition into aged
care easier – and we will do all we can to make you feel welcome and comfortable.
This significant expansion means Hepburn House urgently requires more staff
and we are putting out the call to all qualified people.
Anyone who has ever thought about a tree-change, now is your opportunity.
Relocate from the sepia haze of Melbourne to the calendar-picture perfection of
Daylesford with its lush greenery and glass-surfaced lakes.
If that is not incentive enough Hepburn House is also offering one month’s free
accommodation in a fully furnished one or two bedroom apartment, with a further
two months at $220-$350 per week for new full-time workers who need to relocate.