MANAGEMENT of Ballan’s only nursing home says it desperately needs an upgrade, with several rundown rooms unable to be used and only one living room available for residents to see visitors.
The nursing home, part of Ballan District Health and Care, is 50 years old. Although it has been steadily maintained, primary health manager Jamie Brennan said it needed urgent improvements.
“We’re now at a point where what we’re doing ourselves is just cosmetic, but what we need is a full overhaul,” he said.
Ballarat Labor MP Catherine King and new federal Mental Health and Ageing Minister Jacinta Collins were today expected to tour the nursing home, with management seeking extra funding to update facilities.
The nursing home offers 24-hour personal support for 10 high-care patients, with individual supervision, assistance and attention.
Mr Brennan said management was planning larger rooms with individual en suites. “Currently, they’re double suites that share a bathroom – we want individual suites to make it more private,” he said. ‘‘The day room is also not in an ideal position. We want it somewhere where it’s easier for both residents and staff to access.”
The need for aged care in Moorabool is expected to increase dramatically, with council projections showing that the number of residents aged 75 and above will rise from less than 1250 in 2006 to more than 2400 by 2021. Ballan nursing home is the only aged-care facility between Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh.
Residents Ray and Mary Smith said staff members were wonderful, but they’d love to see facility improvements.
“This could be our last home and it really needs an upgrade,’’ Mr Smith said. ‘‘It’d be nice to have a lounge for visitors to meet in, rather than having to visit in our bedrooms.”
Mr Brennan was confident the MP’s visit would yield results.
“We have a reasonable belief we’ll get funding – it’s very much needed,” he said.
A spokesman for Ms King said the MP would assess the situation following the ‘‘meet and greet’’ with residents.
