When you enter Chomley House's recently renovated premises you are immediately struck by a vitality and energy not normally associated with an aged care facility.
Owners William and Kendra Templer and facility manager Margaret Zarkadas are passionate about what they do. It is clear that they put everything into creating a home where residents can enjoy their retirement years. And it is also obvious that the residents appreciate the attention.
The renovations have brought the building into the 21st century - rooms have been enlarged, hydronic heating installed and additional facilities built. The extension of the building has also allowed for an extra 13 rooms (bringing the total to 38) creating availabilities for the first time in a number of years.
The improvements are a continuation of William and Kendra's desire to make the premises as comfortable and as homely as possible for residents. The new hairdressing salon, visits by a podiatrist and a physiotherapist as well as regular in house activities all help to deliver on this desire.
William noted that it can be a very difficult time when a family needed to arrange special accommodation for their mother. "We understand that a mother's loneliness, medical condition or perhaps nutritional or memory concerns may require a family to look for assistance. We try to make the transition as simple as possible by taking the time to sit with them and determine any special requirements. It is always pleasing when a son or daughter comments on how well their mother is looking and that is often after just six to eight weeks of being in our care. We know that the personal care we provide is of great benefit to our residents' wellbeing," he said.
Part of that individual care includes Kendra discussing with each resident their nutritional requirements as well as likes and dislikes, "if a resident informs us that they don't like mushrooms, this is documented and they will never be served a meal with mushrooms in it," she said.
Families are always welcome to visit and special family days for Christmas, Easter and even Melbourne Cup Day provide the ideal opportunity for children and grandchildren to gather together. Chomley House also conducts regular bus outings. The day before my visit, residents visited Queen Victoria market, sharpening their haggling skills. Judging by the comments, they were happy with their performance. These outings also help strengthen the sense of community that exists within Chomley House.
In their 21 years of providing aged care, William and Kendra have seen many changes. The most obvious has been that those seeking care are much older and often more frail. Through a combination of dedicated and friendly staff and first class facilities, they have created an atmosphere which ensures that anyone who is part of the Chomley House community is well looked after.