JourneyOnline
RESIDENTS, STAFF and friends of Blue Care farewelled one of the not-for-profit organisation’s most historic aged care and retirement living services at a thanksgiving and decommissioning service last week.
The thanksgiving service was held in acknowledgement of the past and present residents, employees and patrons of Blue Care Southerden Lodge Aged Care Facility and Retirement Living at The Grange.
Blue Care Executive Director Robyn Batten said Southerden had played a very important role in caring for older people in the Grange area for 38 years.
“The decision to close the site hasn’t been easy for Blue Care, however the buildings, which were built for low care, no longer support the needs of current and future residents as their care needs increase,” Ms Batten said.
“It is a sad time for many staff and residents and the decommissioning service was an important occasion to give thanks to everyone who had been part of the Southerden community since 1971.
“Past and present staff members have done a wonderful job providing quality care services.”
All 28 residents and three retirement living residents found suitable new homes, either with Blue Care or other providers, and the Southerden site closed on Friday.
Resident Mavis Wilson, who had been living at Southern Aged Care Facility for the past 13 years, said she would miss the facility and the people she knew there but was looking forward to the future.
“I’ve had a lovely time – I’ve been well cared for and the workers have been just wonderful,” she said.
Mrs Wilson said she didn’t have time to be sad about moving as life was full of change. She had experienced her biggest change, moving from her Alderley home of 47 years into residential aged care.
“I’ve moved to Blue Care Pine Woods Aged Care Facility at Lawnton. It’s a lovely place and I’m living closer to my son and daughter which is pleasing for me.
“There are about 100 residents over here so I have plenty of people to talk to.”
Blue Care is a leading not-for-profit provider of residential aged and community care in Queensland and northern New South Wales, assisting more than 12,500 people every day.
Blue Care is an agency of UnitingCare Queensland, which is part of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Photo : Mavis Wilson with her sister June
