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In positive news for the Hilltops Region, Harden Grange Aged Care Community has been so well supported by locals that over 50% of the private suites are now occupied. This significant milestone comes less than four months after opening – well ahead of Apollo Care’s initial expectations. As a result of this demand, the Community is now able to offer more job opportunities to locals.

Kylie Radburn, Apollo Care Chief Governance Officer and Chairperson of HRDC Community Limited, the not-for-profit entity that operates Harden Grange, said that this news reflects how much the wider community values having a quality aged care provider in the local area.

“We knew that locals wanted the opportunity to stay living in this beautiful region as they age, and we’re delighted that Harden Grange is fulfilling that need for so many residents already,” said Ms Radburn.

Residential Service Manager, Lucy Rowe, added that the refurbishments throughout Harden Grange have now been completed.

“Each household has been fully renovated using a heritage colour scheme and country-style furniture and fittings. There’s also a homely loungeroom with a fireplace in each household, where residents love to relax,” said Lucy.

“Respite care at Harden Grange offers locals an opportunity to trial living here without committing to a long-term contact. We have found every resident who has trialled, though, has decided to stay on as permanent resident which is testament to how much they enjoyed their time with us.”

Lucy also reported that the strong increase in Harden Grange’s occupancy has translated into team growth.

“We’ve recently welcomed new Registered Nurses, Support Services staff, and a number of new Personal Care Workers – all of whom are locals!

“We’re still looking for more team members, though, particularly to add to our Nursing, Care and Lifestyle teams and we’ll continue our locals-first recruitment strategy wherever possible,” she said.

“Harden Grange also offers flexible career pathways for TAFE or high-school students, or those returning to the workforce. We function as a living classroom where students or trainees can learn in a real-world setting, supported not only by their teachers, but by our team of caring professionals.”

To find out more about our respite or permanent aged care at Harden Grange, please contact our friendly team by calling (02) 5330 8000 or emailing info@hardengrange.com.au.

Harden Grange is one of the first aged care communities in south-west New South Wales to introduce CareKeeper, a cutting-edge mobile technology that enhances the delivery of care to residents.

The community is part of the Apollo Care Alliance, a progressive national provider that uses innovation to make aged care better for residents and staff.

CareKeeper, developed by Telstra Health, allows every Nurse, Carer and Lifestyle Team Member to access important information about each resident’s care needs, including clinical information and lifestyle choices and preferences, on a handheld mobile device in real time.

All staff are able to quickly view, action and record care information or tasks while being at the resident’s side.

Each resident’s individual preferences, such as choice of daily routine or favourite activities, are also accessible giving staff more opportunities to engage meaningfully with residents to provide a truly holistic care experience.

Staff are excited about the rollout of the technology saying it reduces paperwork and time spent at nurse’s stations.

“I love this technology! It gives our team all the up-to-date information we need at our fingertips. It’s far more efficient than paper charts because we only need to input information once, and there’s less risk of error. This increased efficiency allows us to spend more quality time with each resident,” said Registered Nurse, Kylie Hayter.

The Lifestyle Team agrees.

“I can look at CareKeeper and instantly see what kind of activities or hobbies a resident enjoys, or I can access notes that can spark lovely conversations. This makes for a more positive and personal way to engage with residents,” Debbie Tonkin commented.

CareKeeper is part of Apollo Care’s overall strategy to ensure every care worker is equipped with a mobile device that delivers wider benefits including enhanced team collaboration.

To find out more about our welcoming country-style community, please contact our friendly team by calling (02) 5330 8000 or emailing info@hardengrange.com.au.

Since opening its doors in January, the newly renovated Harden Grange Aged Care Community has warmly welcomed 23 residents.

Most of these are returning locals who have been overjoyed to return to the Hilltops Region.

For resident, Gloria Corey, being able to call Harden home once again means everything.

“I used to live in the Retirement Village here but moved to Port Macquarie to live with my son, Trevor. When my care needs increased, I had to move to an aged care community in Port Macquarie because there was no aged care community in Harden,” said Gloria.

“When my son told me that Harden Grange was opening and I could move back home, I was so happy! I’m very attached to this beautiful area. There’s nothing like living where you were raised.”

Gloria moved to Harden Grange in February and has wasted no time in making this community feel like home.

“I can spend my day any way I like. After all, at almost 96 years old, I should be able to make my own decisions! The staff here support me to remain as independent as possible, and they care for me so wonderfully,” Gloria said.

A regular visitor to Harden’s on-site hairdressing salon, Gloria also loves spending time in the café, in one of the sunny courtyards or enjoying meals with other residents in the dining room.

“We’re lucky to have so many welcoming spaces here to use as we wish. And the food is freshly made here, too. I especially love the sweets!”

From her private suite, Gloria enjoys sweeping views over the surrounding hills and can even see her former unit in the Retirement Village.

“I spent five very happy years in that unit, and I love being able to look out of my window and see it now. I have visits from my old neighbours there, Peggy and Judy.

“Harden Grange is a safe, welcoming and familiar place to live. I really do feel like I’ve come home.”

At Harden Grange, we love making residents feel at home. To find out more about our welcoming country-style community, please contact our friendly team by calling (02) 5330 8000 or emailing info@hardengrange.com.au.

Harden Grange Aged Care Community’s newly opened dementia support household is now welcoming residents with advanced memory care needs.

Complete with a traditional colour scheme, new window coverings and carefully selected antique furniture and homely decorations, this household offers residents a range of calming spaces.

For Harden local Don Armitstead, the opening of this household has made a world of difference to him and his wife, Margaret.

“My darling wife is living with dementia. Before Harden Grange opened, she resided in the closest aged care community that’s over 60km away. Now, she’s been able to return to the familiar surroundings of Harden. She’s back where she belongs,” said Don.

Harden’s Community Manager, Kylie Hayter, says that the Care Team takes a resident-first approach to caring for residents with advanced memory support needs.

“Our care philosophy centres on getting to know each resident so that we can support them to live their best life, whatever that means to them,” Ms Hayter said.

“We support residents to remain as independent as possible, living a life of dignity where they are respected as valued individuals.”

Since moving to Harden Grange, Don has noticed that Margaret’s seems much more calm and content.

“I’d often travel 60km to the other aged care community only to find her unsettled and unreceptive to my visit. This was very difficult and distressing to see,” Don explained.

“Now, she is so much more at ease in this community. The vintage lounge room in the memory support unit is just lovely. It’s a cosy place to sit and there’s antique furniture, a fireplace and a glass display cabinet just like you’d find at home. Margaret finds it a very calming space.”

“We also spend a lot of time in the outdoor spaces, tending to the flowers and plants, or just sitting in the sun.”

“I know she’s very well cared for at Harden Grange and this provides me with peace of mind,” Don said.

“If anyone is thinking about a move to this community, I would encourage them to do so without a second thought!”

Older Hilltops locals in need of quality aged care are finally able to return back to the region, following the opening of Harden Grange Aged Care Community earlier this year.

Now operated by national provider, Apollo Care, Harden Grange reinstates a much-needed service to the local area, and eleven residents now call this community home.

According to Kylie Radburn, Apollo Care Chief Governance Officer and Chairperson of HRDC Community Limited, the not-for-profit entity that operates Harden Grange, admitting locals in need of care has been the priority.

“We know that the Hilltops Region is a proud local community, and it’s lovely to see how happy it’s made residents to be cared for in their home town of Harden,” said Ms Radburn.

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, reinforcing just how important the reopening of this service is to the Hilltops Region.”

Ms Radburn said that careful consideration went into the refurbishment process at Harden to create a true sense of home.

“We introduced a classic, residential-inspired interior design scheme, using heritage colours, the addition of fireplaces in sitting rooms, VJ panelling, and warm pendant lighting,” Ms Radburn explained.

“These very deliberate design decisions have transformed the original facility into a homely community that reflects the character of this historic town.

“More than 80 locals attended our first Community Open Day that was held just before opening the doors to residents. We had glowing feedback from everyone, and they especially loved the central cafe and sitting area with the beautiful stone fireplace.”

Other features at Harden Grange include a private resident lounge, a hairdressing salon, a large activity room, internal courtyards with seating and raised garden beds, an outdoor terrace area, and an on-site Chapel.

The next stage of refurbishments is already underway by Apollo Care. Once complete, Harden will be able to care for 45 residents, all in private suites with their own ensuites.

As part of the Apollo Care Alliance, Harden Grange will benefit from industry-leading care governance, the latest care technology, an award-winning culture program, and a continued emphasis on quality care, kindness and dignity.

St Lawrence Residential Aged Care in Harden, formerly run by Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), is set to reopen late this year as Harden Grange.

The 45-bed community, which closed in February last year, will now be recommissioned with plans to open in late 2022.

Southern Cross Care’s CEO, Helen Emmerson said Southern Cross Care had worked to facilitate the sale to a provider who can serve the region’s aged care needs.

“We are very happy to be able to transfer this facility to a new community-backed organisation. I wish the Apollo Care Alliance all the very best,” Ms Emmerson said.

The Harden Regional Development Corporation (HRDC) has been a key driver in facilitating the reopening.

Harden Grange will be operated by a new local not-for-profit group, HRDC Community Limited, founded by the Kruger Trust and national approved aged care provider Apollo Care.

Apollo Care’s CEO, Stephen Becsi OAM, said Apollo Care was formed to revitalise a segment of the aged care market that is at high risk of extinction: smaller not-for-profits.

“These smaller providers play an essential role in delivering choice to older Australians who want to remain connected to their local community.  This is especially important in regional communities, like Harden,” he said.

“We bring our highly experienced team of industry leaders, the latest technology, best-practice care governance and an award-winning staff culture program to Harden Grange.  We look forward to Harden Grange supporting local residents and their families by providing quality aged care services to the whole community.

“Apollo Care’s operating model allows smaller aged care communities to thrive in a very challenging operating environment.”

HRDC Deputy Chairperson, Samantha Flannery, thanked The Kruger Trust for investing in an equity stake to facilitate the reopening.  

“We look forward to seeing Harden Grange become a strong and valued community residential aged care service.  Providing our ageing demographic with a place to call home plus more jobs for locals will be a much-needed boost for our twin towns and the broader Hilltops Region,” she said.

A team from Apollo Care will visit Harden to meet with the local community and answer questions. 

This community event will be held at the Mechanics Institute in Harden on Monday 17 October 2022 from 2.00pm to 6.30pm and on Tuesday 18 October from 7.30am to 11am.

In attendance will be:

Stephen Becsi, OAM –  Apollo Care CEO

Kylie Radburn – Chairperson of the Harden Grange Board and Apollo Care Chief Governance Officer

Gabby Maresca – Apollo Care Recruitment

David Arguelles – Apollo Care Project Management, Asset Management and Procurement

CEO Mr Becsi said that Apollo Care is committed to keeping Harden Grange focused on local aged care needs.

“We look forward to talking with families and prospective residents, and anyone interested in job opportunities. We are also interested in meeting with local suppliers and contractors who can help us with preparations for the reopening of Harden Grange.” he said.