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The Eventide team have been busy with the refurbishment program in the hostel which is steadily progressing.
The dark brick walls are being replaced with plaster and new furniture has been purchased to provide a more "home like" atmosphere.
Eventide's onsite carpenter, Rob, has completed plaster work on all internal passages in the hostel, and the Glyn Cashin Hall.
"The new walls look amazing with enhanced colours and new furniture throughout," Eventide Homes Chief Executive Officer Sue Blakey said.
"Our new dining experience also commenced in May, where residents have the choice and the ability to select their own meals from our new bistro-style server.
"This new dining experience will also promote independence and encourage increased mobility while also enabling residents to make their own decisions.
"We are also offering a "fine dining" experience where we will have an occasional restaurant of an evening where residents can invite family and friends to join them for a three-course meal."
The first night saw 18 guests enjoy their meals together. Residents were thrilled by development of the new "pop up restaurant."
"We certainly provided an ambient restaurant atmosphere and Andrea and her team provided a magnificent meal," Sue said.
"Residents were asked to come up with a name for our restaurant. Several ideas were put forward, eventually voting on "Come Right Inn" restaurant."
The renovations were started about 12 months ago in response to the needs of current and future residents.
"The hostel was looking a bit sad and definitely needed a freshen up," Sue said.
"Residents have enjoyed watching the transformations."
Comments from the residents and their families have been very positive.
"We have been inundated with glowing reviews from our residents and their families," Sue said.
The first stage of the renovations is expected to be complete by Wednesday October 8.
These works are just a small part of the master plan for Eventide Homes.
The master plan will guide the capital works to be undertaken in the next three to five years.
Boosting numbers to meet the demand
The main priority from this plan is the 12-bed memory support wing.
With $3.6 million committed to the new wing, it will be a stand-alone house with the concept of residents being involved in cooking, cleaning and daily activities.
This new wing will offer a potential shift away from traditional models of dementia care.
The next stage of work will see a second storey added to the hostel to house the administration area for staff.
This section also includes a new entrance, chapel, kitchen, dining and new entrance to existing Warne wing.
Another goal at Eventide is to increase the 100-bed license for the hostel to a 120-bed licence.
"We currently have a large number of people on the waiting list and we want to be able to provide local people with the accommodation needs they require, whilst living in their hometown area," Sue said.
"We take pride in our dedicated care, and maintaining a clean modern facility that our residents enjoy living in."
Plans are also being considered for the second stage of The Planatation, which will include 23 to 26 new independent living units which will be sold from the plans, and built as required.
Eventide Homes, situated in Stawell, was established in 1953.
It is one of Western Victoria's most progressive senior lifestyle villages, offering independent residential living options and an aged care hostel on site if you require residential care in the future.