Gum Wing Restoration Project at Riverview Gardens Aged Care Centre

“The project stemmed from our commitment to the mission of the Salvation Army Aged Care, which prioritises providing exceptional care and support to the elderly and those in need within our communities,” says Area Manager, Matt Arasteh, of the recently refurbished Gum Wing at Riverview Gardens Aged Care Centre (“Riverview Gardens”) in Riverview, Queensland. “Recognising the growing demand for available rooms and the increasing need for quality aged care services, we decided to embark on renovating the Gum Unit to meet this need head-on.” 

The Gum Wing is a unique ten-bed, shared bathroom wing linked to the larger part of the aged care centre and retirement village campus operated by The Salvation Army Aged Care. “The refresh has included minor building works, new air conditioning, new beds, equipment and furniture and has provided an overall upgrade to the living environment” says Brent Homan, the Area Facilities Manager. For staff members, this revamp has improved their working space too. “We’ve also added new automatic doors to service entries, upgraded the nurses' station office and installed new nurse call equipment and displays.  

Brent’s role was instrumental in launching and streamlining an action plan for the Centre and external stakeholders. “I developed a scope works incorporating requests from the Centre and previous refurbishment experience at our other facilities to align with the Aged Care standards,” says Brent. “The works were tendered out to our local contractors and the project endorsed via a business case process including all relevant stakeholders.” Brent, who brings his previous trade background to his current role, enjoys working in the aged care space as he finds fulfilment in making a difference in peoples lives. “The key focus for me is our purpose; to ensure our residents, families and staff have a safe, functional and welcoming environment.” 

Matt explains further: “By refurbishing the wing, we aimed to not only expand our capacity but also enhance the living standards and care options available to seniors in the community,” he says. “This decision was driven by our dedication to fulfilling our mission and ensure that we can continue to serve those who rely on us for compassionate and comprehensive care.” 

When reflecting on why Riverview Gardens is a unique provider for residential aged care in the area, Matt notes it is the person-centred approach. “We prioritise compassion, dignity, and respect in all aspects of our care, ensuring that every resident feels valued and supported,” he states. “We recognise that each resident has unique needs, preferences, and backgrounds, and we tailor our services to meet these individual requirements. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and enhances the overall quality of life for our residents.”