Progress on Aspiring Enliven Care Centre adjacent to the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre is on schedule to receive its first residents in early October.
The $9.3m stage one build will accommodate 40 residents across rest home, hospital, dementia and palliative levels of care, and provide employment for approximately 40 staff.
A partnership between Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO) and Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village, the care centre will be run by PSO under its Enliven brand.
Enliven focuses on care principles that put residents to the fore; stressing a sense of community, independence and choice in services, as demonstrated at PSO’s Elmlsie House care home in Stone St, Wanaka.
“Elmslie House is in the top 10 percent of New Zealand care homes awarded Ministry of Health four-year certification,” says Enliven Director Maurice Burrowes. “That’s tremendous endorsement for the way our staff and volunteers care for residents on a daily basis.
“That same level of service will apply at Aspiring Enliven, with the manager covering both care homes and Wanaka Retirement Village.”
PSO is currently advertising for the new position of Manager, Enliven Services Wanaka. Once that appointment is made the current Elmslie House Manager’s position, held by Nina Lunn, will be disestablished. Nina has decided not to apply for the new role.
“I believe the new role needs fresh energy and vision, and have decided it’s time for me to move on,” Nina says. “I feel I have achieved good outcomes for the home and village, and want to thank the residents, families and staff who have shared my journey here.”
Maurice Burrowes adds, “We’d like to acknowledge Nina’s leadership over the past five years and her contribution in helping Elmslie House maintain its four year certification status. In light of her decision not to apply for the new position we wish her well in the future.”
An extensive recruitment drive for registered nurses, care workers, housekeepers, activity coordinators and administration staff gets underway shortly.
“There will be a mix of full and part-time jobs, flexible hours, professional development and great job satisfaction, which should attract people at all stages of their working life,” says Maurice.
An official opening and public open day will be held prior to residents moving in on 3 October 2016.